High on a hill

A testament to a house well built is when the architect, builder and subcontractors are all invited back for dinner a year after completion.

This new three-level house, designed by Barry Northcott of Dimension Design, and built by Town & Country Residential, provides a modern take on a traditional Italian aesthetic. Warren Pointon, director of Town & Country, says the two companies worked closely with the client from the outset through to completion.

"We always operate this way and, in doing so, often form ties that extend beyond handing over the keys," says Pointon. "Being involved in our projects from start to finish also ensures the home is finished promptly and cost effectively."

Dimension Design and Town & Country specialise in masonry-constructed residences and this house built in Firth hot blocks offers an enduring example.

"A masonry home has several functional advantages over one using other materials," says Pointon. "For example, masonry offers passive solar qualities that make for a more comfortable home cool in summer, warm in winter with attendant reduced energy costs. Masonry also offers effective sound insulation."

Firth Ribraft concrete floors were introduced on the lower levels and flat slabs on the upper two stories allowing for broad, uninterrupted floor plates. This benefit is seen best on the mid level, where a run of open-plan living areas all look to the sea. While the space is expansive, glass sliding doors can partition off the areas.

Barry Northcott says that the one-off design responds to its situation in other ways too.

"The exposed site meant strong onshore winds and there are several outdoor getaway areas and a semi-enclosed loggia that offer both shelter and shade," says Northcott. "As with all our projects, this home responds to all the owners' requests, which in this case included a set-back kitchen, allowing views through the living spaces to the scenery, internal wall space for displaying artworks, and timber accents."

The home boasts in-floor heating, hidden solar heating and a savvy design that minimises wind and maximises the outlook.

Contact Town and Country Residential, PO Box 16, Greenhithe, Auckland 1330, phone (09) 820 3962. Website: www.tcresidential.co.nz. For details on Dimension Design, phone (09) 817 4268. Email: barry.dimensiondesign@xtra.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas