Winning formula
Attention to detail ensured this house, designed by Don Nelson Architecture, was an award winner
Take one magical beachfront site, add good design and quality construction and you have a recipe for success. For the team involved in the design and construction of this house, it was a formula that resulted in the property winning the Supreme House of the Year award.
Designed by Don Nelson Architecture and built by registered master builder Gary Bonham, the house has a distinctive Mediterranean look thanks to the free-flowing curves, loggias and substantial facade. But the house also has a decidedly New Zealand twist. Pohutukawa trees frame the building, and the Hauraki Gulf provides an idyllic backdrop. It was designed with New Zealand's relaxed, family-oriented lifestyle in mind, says Don Nelson.
"Creating a good indoor-outdoor flow was important," he says. "At the same time, however, the owners wanted the house to make a strong statement, hence the bold architectural lines. These are accentuated by lighting, water features, and landscaping."
Contrasting materials and textures add to the grandeur of the house. These include a two-storey-high schist water feature the natural texture providing relief to the home's solid, smooth finish. Light from above bounces off the wall to create a glistening sheen.
Large timber doors open to a double-height foyer. This is flooded with natural light through a large, circular skylight. Marble floor tiles, wave-shaped walls, a grand staircase and elaborate chandelier complement the generous proportions.
The staircase, with its wrought iron balustrades, leads to the four bedrooms, each with its own ensuite. The master suite, which includes an adjoining office, opens onto a large balcony overlooking the swimming pool and beach. A lift also provides the owners with means for accessing the upper level.
To maximise the home's setting, the kitchen and family room feature curved glass windows that provide views from all angles. All of the main living areas flow onto patios and the swimming pool via bifolding doors, while wide eaves, along with the pohutukawa trees, provide plenty of summer shade.
As well as new home design, Don Nelson Architecture specialises in all levels of renovation projects.
To contact Don Nelson Architecture, phone (09) 486 4698, mobile 027 496 7450. Email: don@donnelson.co.nz, or visit the website: www.donnelson.co.nz.
Story by: Trendsideas
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