124 | Brickwork plays big part in new build Mitchell Builders operates differently from many building businesses, calling on trusted contract builders, which provides flexibility for each build. Mitchell Builders T T Russell Fredric “The hero of the house is the brickwork. They’ve used recycled brick inside and outside. The hallway is almost 50 metres long with brick down one side.” BUILDING John Mitchell, a fourth-generation builder, who owns and runs his namesake company, Mitchell Builders, from its base in Whangarei, has a heritage in the industry that traces back to the English Norfolk-Suffolk borders in the early 1900s. A relative of John’s, Robert Mitchell, is a third-generation master mason, and still operates from the same area today. A significant part of John Mitchell Builders’ work has come through recommendations from previous customers, local, national and overseas architects, building supply companies and local authorities. The company’s latest project, a sprawling rural home being built at Dargaville, includes, albeit without any influence from John, a large quantity of bricks, both on the exterior and inside. Designed by Northland studio Arcline Architecture, the massive 601sqm home includes an attic floor of about 50sqm. Work started over a year ago and is expected to be completed about October The overall configuration is based on six gables with a roof pitch of 35 degrees, while the exterior cladding comprises large areas of brick, including on some of the gables, and vertical James Hardy Oblique weatherboard. A large portico and two fireplaces with impressive brick chimneys, one of which is an open fire, add to the grandeur, while the main lounge area features a cathedral ceiling with a massive window in the gable above full-width glazing. “The hero of the house is the brickwork. They’ve used recycled brick inside and outside. The hallway is almost 50 metres long with brick down one side,” says John. Because of this, structural steel portals and beams and timber LVL beams were required in some areas to support the weight and to provide sufficient bracing. “There’s strengthening in all the foundations for all the brick as well, it was quite a big deal to get out of the ground.” John describes the style of the house as rustic-contemporary, simple and functional, with the owners wanting to create a homely feeling with plenty of space for their family, and for hosting and entertaining their church community. Heating and cooling throughout will be provided by a ducted heat pump/ air-conditioning system in the roof space. A key aspect of the house will be its lighting plan, which will be important in adding ambience and atmosphere inside and out. “They’ve got pencil light shining down on the brick everywhere, up/down lights on the exterior showing off the house.” The kitchen has a scullery, and will likewise be simple and functional, with a neat feature being the kitchen range having a hot-water tap above it to pour directly into a pot. A sense of spaciousness will be easily achieved with the 2.7-metre-high walls and raked ceilings, which will effectively frame the rural landscape, while the property is bordered with “custom-made, next level” post and rail fencing. Mitchell Builders operates differently from many building businesses, calling on trusted contract builders, which provides flexibility for each build. “We don’t just give the client a price and that’s it,” says John. “Most of our contracts are a cost-plus situation, so things can be negotiated, from design features, what the client can provide, and how much they get involved. It’s very transparent and works for everyone involved.” “We like challenging large builds where we work quite closely with the owner throughout the whole job in every way. We make it enjoyable and rewarding.” Phone: 09 437 9420 | Fax: 09 430 3418 | Email: sales@whangareiitm.co.nz Website: www.itm.co.nz/whangarei Proudly Supporting Mitchell Builders Ltd 0 2 7 2 8 9 3 4 5 1 | b e v a n @ b e s t p a i n t e r . c o . n z Mitchell Builders Ltd kirrily@ireconcile.co.nz | www.ireconcile.co.nz BOOKKEEPING OFFICE ADMINISTRATION XERO & MYOB TRAINING GST & PAYROLL EXPERTS “We do the books. You focus on business” KIRRILY GRIFFIN 021 117 6759 Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . t f . . / i ti 03 983 5500 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, profiling their success. t i f r ; r it i r i i - r r ll i t r , r fili t ir . businessnorth
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