Business Central July 2021

104 | BUILDING Totara Construction Award winning home a real standout T T Sue Russell ‘Modern Whare’ is shaped to reflect ‘Mauao’ Mt Maunganui. W ith a building history including project management in Fiji and the Islands, Hawke’s Bay born Matt Saathof always wanted to set up his own con- struction company. To prepare for this, he gained qualifi - cations in construction management and quantity surveying while working full-time as a carpenter and foreman for a local construc- tion company. Having met Grace, a qualified interior designer, and subsequently moving to Tauranga, it seemed the timing was perfect to do just that. Describing himself as a busy guy by nature, Matt wanted to concentrate on the high-end residential market. “I don’t want to do a lot of volume as I prefer to stay on the coalface. The higher-end architectural design builds are always chal- lenging and engaging experiences.” Choosing a name for the company that reflected a strong, straight-up philosophy and approach to construction was important to Matt who says he’s very proud of his team and what has been achieved these past four years. Matt says its also a priority of his to build early relationships with architects and with clients. “I think there is definitely a gain when builder, designer and client are involved in a project very early on. Quality of outcome has a direct bearing on this happening.” Last year, Totara Construction excelled in the Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau Master Builders House of the Year Awards with a home entered in the Carters New Home $1- 1.5million category. ‘Modern Whare’ was designed out of a nar- rative seeking to reflect the elements housed in a traditional whare, where history and connection of people to the land and to each other is honoured through design and form. Shaped to reflect ‘Mauao’ Mt Maunganui, the 194sqm two level 3-bedroom home in Kulim Avenue, Otumoetai has engaging features, including bespoke geometrical win- dows, a striking ‘pou’ (post/upright) connecting sky to ground and an obsidian stone kitchen island. Outside, the landscape respects the history of the land which was a wetland a century ago. The owners wanted to see the look and feel of this early environment replicated outside. “It’s a very light critical home with two-sto- rey voids and sliding internal timber windows. In the centre is a massive sky-light which can be opened up. On the second floor we used cross-laminated timber panels,” says Matt. Grace, who operates, Grace Saathof Inte- riors, contributed her professional exper- tise with the home’s interior design which received four prestigious awards in the 2020 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards; Regional Category and Gold Awards, National Category Top 100 Awards. Matt says he’s a very hands-on leader and is always looking for challenges. He feels its important to engage with his “I think there is definitely a gain when builder, designer and client are involved in a project very early on. Quality of outcome has a direct bearing on this happening. team on the ground through the construction phase. This direct involvement with the team of builders during the construction phase means that I have control over the project and no exactly where it is at. In this way I can engage with our clients most effectively. The construction methodology is well planned and thought out prior to construc- tion. This ensures the details are captured and executed to the highest degree. “On the ground project and site manage- ment allows for this and always ensures that the boys carrying out the work have clear direction which is key in these detailed builds where the level of detail is complicated.” Call for an Obligation Free Quote | Quality Workmanship. Guaranteed! APC is proud to work with the winning team at Totara Construction M 0274 990 333 • Freephone: 0800 NEW LANDSCAPE (0800 639 526) PO Box 9189, Greerton, Tauranga 3142 E hamish@apclandscape.co.nz W apclandscape.co.nz