98 | BUIDING Agility Builders An architectural treasure on the Kapiti Coast Agility Builders has worked with the client for several years on other homes. T T Russell Fredric The understated exterior of a 2024 Master Builders House of the Year Silver award winner barely hints at what lies beyond its front door. Built by Petone company Agility Builders, the Kapiti Coast home is little more than a jandal-throw from the beach and, from the street, only hints at the architectural treasure inside, while also appearing deceptively smaller than its 240 square metre U-shape footprint suggests. Agility Builders owner Dave Twigg says the client, an interior designer, did an amazing job, with her input resulting in an amazing house that is everything she wanted. It is the first time Agility Builders has entered the House of the Year competition. While very pleased with the recognition, Dave, who describes himself as quite competitive, had a tinge of disappointment the house did not achieve a gold award, but this does not take away from the striking design, quality of materials and considerable attention to detail achieved by his builders, he says. “We are pretty proud of the house and the work that went into it.” Agility Builders has worked with the client for several years on other homes it has built or renovated, so there was already a well-established working relationship. Designed by Wellington architect Firstlight Studio, the house is contemporary and somewhat minimalistic, but is abundant in tasteful touches including dark-stained walnut panelling in the kitchen and a curved wall in the hallway and polished concrete floors. “There was a lot of work that went in at the back end getting all the walnut set correctly. All the interior doors go up the ceiling so you’ve got no door jambs at the top. It’s details like that that most houses don’t have; they take time and cost a lot extra, but the time spent on these details is what sets it apart from the average house.” The kitchen, dining, hallway and lounge floor is polished concrete. The house is heated and cooled underfloor and is complemented by a log fire with a feature brick surround, a vented roof, mechanical central ventilation system and solar panels on the roof. The dark-toned timber complemented by the white of the ceilings, neutral tones of the floor, and soft furnishings achieves a perfect balance of warmth and ambience, themes which are repeated in the bedrooms, with strategically placed LED lights in various areas adding to the ambience. “It’s pretty amazing. The colour choices, the light fittings and even the furniture and wall art and the way its dressed, you can tell [the interior design] has been done by a professional. Everything was purchased specifically for the house, it looks stunning.” The client is equally delighted with the result. “They absolutely love it. They wouldn’t change a thing. They enjoyed the process, we really loved the process as well.” The home is also graced with a pool and a sheltered patio with an outdoor fire, perfect “They absolutely love it. They wouldn’t change a thing. They enjoyed the process, we really loved the process as well.” Honest, reliable and professional Master Electricians Servicing the Wellington region Renovations | Ventilation | Architectural New Builds 04 460 2369 fellowelectrical.co.nz Proudly supporting Agility Builders Top Quality, Affordable Solutions Interior Plastering Wellington Leaky Home Refurbishing Decorative Cornice Mouldings Gib Cove Installation New Builds Renovations Plaster Repair Skim Coat Earthquake Strengthening Reinstatement Proudly Supporting Agility Builders tim@trplastering.co.nz 027 452 9649 www.trplastering.co.nz for alfresco meals and relaxing after a dip in the pool or time at the beach, with an outdoor rain shower. The exterior cladding comprises light coloured clay brick and dark-stained vertical North American tulipwood. “[Tulipwood] is quite rare. I think it’s only on about five houses in the country.” Dave has owned Agility Builders six years, after purchasing it as an established business when it originally operated in Christchurch. He has more than 21 years building experience in Wellington, Christchurch, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands and is passionate about creating beautifully finished homes and spaces. The company employs 14 staff, of which three are apprentices, and operates in the wider Wellington area, including Kapiti Coast building new mid to high end homes and completing renovations and light commercial work to an equally high standard.
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