The couple has vivid memories of the only other time they built – a barn-like home on their farm near Gore.
They were just starting out and money was tight so they contracted the construction company to complete the home to shell stage.
“We had a small baby in tow and did everything else ourselves, including installing the plasterboard walls,” says the other owner.
This time they had no such intention of mucking in but that doesn’t mean they didn’t want to be involved.
In fact the pair make for the perfect team.
“I’m a practical sort,” he says, “and she (the other owner) has a great eye for design. So it was important to us that we felt really comfortable with the designers, builders and tradies.”
A visit to the David Reid Homes showhome at Jack’s Point convinced the pair they’d found their people.
“We were instantly impressed by the quality and loved the enthusiasm of the local franchisees,” he says
The company suggested a number of architects to the couple and they went with Martin Hofman who responded to their brief to make the most of the view and the sunlight.
Together they stretched a series of three pavilions 48m along the section.
Fitting addition
The gabled forms are like a mini miners' village, keying into the vernacular architecture of the Central Otago region.
Clad in dark-stained cedar teamed with steel-tray roofing in a charcoal tone gave the home a low-key presence that melds with the drama of the bare hills.
Although the section had the right orientation and a million-dollar aspect, there were challenges – it was fairly narrow and steep.
So it took longer than expected, and far more digging, to establish a stable platform the engineers were happy with.
Builder Jeremy Crooks guided them through this hiccup.
“He’s a Southland boy so we instantly clicked,” says the owner.
One upside was they gained more flat ground for outdoor living.