104 | BUILDING Oliver Tuck Construction Resting lightly on the landscape near Russell, looking for all the world as if it might take flight, is a stunning home worthy of its place as a finalist in the 2024 Master Builders House of the Year. Commanding stellar views of the inlet below, the house pays homage to the wingspan of a bird soaring in the sky, while also merging with the environment. Crafted by Northland’s Oliver Tuck Construction and designed by David Ponting of Ponting Fitzgerald Architects, its avian references are clear from every angle. Outside, tiered decks hug the home like folded wings, while the roofline speaks to the outstretched wing of a seabird spiralling on a thermal updraft. Such was the attention to detail that even the structures supporting the deck inspire visions of wading birds. The interior is also a showstopper. Curved, western red cedar walls feature throughout, a counterpoint to the crisp angles of the handbuilt kitchen joinery commissioned from Mike Laustsen, with steel beams and vast expanses of glass giving a sense of being suspended between sea and sky. Underfoot, American oak brings a natural, warm feel. The finish throughout is millimetre- accurate, thanks to a team of dedicated builders and carpenters, who made the trip from Whangarei to site daily. “It was a fantastic build to work on and we are very proud of the end result,” says Ollie Tuck, who also worked on Taharuru’s ‘Rusty House’, which featured on Grand Designs NZ in 2016. Built for a retired couple, who wanted a sustainable “100-year house” that nestled into the landscape rather than compete with it, the Russell home was a challenging build, taking almost three years to complete. From both a geotechnical and design perspective, the steeply sloping site had its complexities. “We had to drill a very significant palisade wall and retain the cliff side,” Ollie says. Keeping to timeframes was challenging due to multiple worldly complications, including Covid-related delays. “The project took a bit longer than planned, but managed to come in extremely close to our original budget, even with the challenging rampant inflation during that time.” T T Lindy Andrews Soaring high in national competition The Russell home was a challenging build, taking almost three years to complete. The home’s owners moved onto the site during 2020 when Covid struck. “They were very enthusiastic and were around a lot and very excitedly observing every step,” Ollie remembers. With the home completed in all its glory in 2023, Ollie and his wife Miriam count sitting down and celebrating with their clients, seeing them hosting and living in their dream home as the project’ s greatest highlight. “We were also very proud of this house winning multiple House of the Year regional awards,” he says. Making the top 100 in the nationals, to be held in Auckland on November 23, was the icing on the cake. The prestigious competition celebrates New Zealand building excellence and awards the best homes and builders and the craftsmanship behind them. ‘We have always aspired to build cool and interesting houses, and winning awards like this gives us confidence in what we do.” Akarana Timbers built its reputation on taking pride in delivering top quality services across the Northland market, supplying a wide range of products as listed below: NEED HELP WITH A PROJECT? CONTACT US • Frame and Truss Manufacturing • Building and Landscaping Supplies • Hardware • Roofing and Spouting • Reinforcing steel and mesh • Pole Shed / Farm Fencing 09 929 9608 | sales@akaranatimbers.co.nz | 66 Waiwarawara Drive, Marsden Business Park, Ruakaka We are your specialists in... • GAS FITTING • PLUMBING • DRAINLAYING SUPPLY AND INSTALL • MAINTENANCE NEW INSTALLS • FREE QUOTES Phone. 09 430 0669 Email. admin@northlandpg.co.nz Web. www.northlandpg.co.nz CALL NOW 0800 WANT GAS
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