| 75 to page 76 ARCHITECTURE ADNZ: Holmes Architecture Creative bug a driver for architect Kelly Deeks “I know what is coming out of our office is work that is high quality, and is contributing in a positive way to our country’s built landscape,” says Mike Holmes. A journey through the construction industry from building to architecture has brought Mike Holmes to a multi award winning destination, with his firm Holmes Architecture based out of Wellington consistently achieving architectural awards for its innovative bespoke designs. Mike was lucky enough to be born with construction in his blood, with his grandfather Will Holmes starting Holmes Construction in the Wairarapa in 1957. Mike had spent plenty of time on building sites and in the family joinery factory since he was knee-high, so naturally started his building apprenticeship with the family firm aged 17. After a bit of travel around New Zealand and Australia, he came home and qualified aged 24, and then had a choice to make. “I could have gone into the family business, but I wanted to explore something creative as well. So I joined the Masters of Architecture programme at Victoria University. “Architecture gave me the opportunity to use my building background and be more creative at the same time.” Going back to school was a shock to the system, especially for Mike who admits academia isn’t his strongest suit. “I was completely out of my depth, but I found the creative side of it really enjoyable. Maths in the first year was the hardest part, and I had to pass it to get into the second year,” he says. For the highest architectural standards in Wellington, choose Class-E-Build as your house builder. Award-winning Master Builder Quality | Efficiency | Excellence Across the Wellington region Postal Address 21 Alexandra Rd, Roseneath, Wellington Contact Number 04 890 4855 Follow Us on Social Media With an open and transparent approach to its projects, and a collaborative approach to working with architects, Class E Build provides a high-value building service and delivers practical solutions that bring its clients’ visions to life. Class E Build is owned and run by Paul Stevenson, a licensed and Registered Master Builder of more than 30 years experience who was born and grew up in Wellington and trained there. “I’m used to the conditions we are faced with in Wellington, with steep sites and di icult access,” he says. “Technical builds are our speciality, and all of our work is inished to the high standards of an award-winning builder.” On a current project for Holmes Architecture, a renovation to a home in Karaka Bays accessed by cable car, Class E Build has thought outside the box to come up with a cost-saving solution to access the property. “I’ve managed to negotiate a deal with the next door neighbour, and we are using sca olding to access an upper bank where there is a right of way. This has brought the cost down signi icantly, otherwise it was looking like a helicopter lift. We managed to get it sorted without upsetting anybody, which is part of what we do.” This renovation is updating a 1950s home to suit the needs of a growing family. The moisture issues associated Class E Build – value and integrity with an old home are being remedied, and a laundry and toilet area are being recon igured to work better for the family. Outside, a two-storey high deck is being upgraded with waterproo ing and new handrails. The bespoke steel handrails with timber caps have been designed to complement the cladding of the home, as well as keep out of the way of the sea views. “They have required a bit of specialised building, and we’ve manufactured some bespoke brackets in order to make the design work.” In recent years, Class E Builds has been working on more and more higher density homes. In Ngaio, the building irm is working with a client based in Singapore to develop four new townhouses, having already transformed the site’s existing 1950s brick and tile house into two apartments. This is another steep site, north facing with bush views, and Class E Build has installed a pedestrian bridge over a stream at the bottom of the site, with easy access to Ngaio Station. “It’s got the address, it’s got the sun, and it’s got lots of native birds cruising around.” Class E Build is also working on more in ill housing since Wellington City Council approved a new medium-density housing bill in October last year. “We’re making use of some of the back sections in Wellington.”
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