96 | Another stand-out home The 178sqm single-level home captures the north-facing views across the valley wetlands. Add Space T T Bernadette Cooney NF Construction Practicality and aesthetics T T Karen Phelps BUILDING An architecturally designed home that combines alpine inspiration with rural serenity has been recognised with a Silver Award in the Master Builders Auckland/ Waikato Regionals for Auckland design and build firm Add Space Ltd. The building company, led by its founder Peter Osborne, took home a Master Builders Regional Silver Award in the New Home $750,000–$1 million category for Rural Retreat, built by and for Add Space builder and site manager, Tim England, making the win especially meaningful, says Peter. “Tim led this project. He’s been with me eight years now and he’s done so well for me. What better way to help a staff member than a build a house for them.” Set on rolling land in Kaukapakapa, the 178sqm single-level home captures the calm north-facing views across the valley wetlands. Its design, by 360 Architectural, makes full use of the site. “It’s a home that feels both grounded and elevated,” says Peter, “the kind of place where every space has been considered for how people live.” A striking yellow-clad home perched above Northland’s coastline has earned Mangawhai-based NF Construction both regional gold and national top 100 honours at the 2025 Master Builders House of the Year competition, cementing the company’s reputation for successfully delivering complex architectural projects. The award-winning three-bedroom, three-bathroom home features distinctive dual forms connected by timber decking and stairs, with wraparound decking and a roof terrace maximising ocean views. But it was the vivid yellow posts and balustrades that presented one of the build’s most demanding challenges. “Because it’s such a distinct colour, it was difficult to get different materials to match. Nobody would powder coat that colour, so in the end Mangawhai Engineering applied an epoxy spray to the aluminium and steel balustrade for us,” says director of NF Construction Nic Foster. The 175sqm home, designed by Pac Studios, also tested the team with its challenging site conditions. Located down a right of way with the building occupying most of the available space, the project required careful planning. “The award shows our commitment to quality and making sure everything’s done right the first time,” explains Nic. Inside, raked ceilings and white walls amplify natural light, while a wood-burning fireplace anchors the main living area. The matte-black kitchen, complete with a scullery and splashback window, is both functional and striking. Sliding doors open to a large, covered portico deck, the perfect spot to take in the seasons. The home includes three bedrooms, a dedicated office, and a mudroom entry, while the main bedroom suite extends to a spa terrace for evening unwinding. Exterior finishes in Coloursteel and yellow cedar tie the home into its rural surroundings. The award-winning Rural Retreat adds to a growing list of standout projects by Add Space, a company now in its 20th year. The firm’s portfolio spans renovations, extensions, architectural new builds, and commercial fitouts across Auckland, Northland, and the Coromandel. Recent highlights include a major renovation in Coatesville, an award-featured villa extension in Epsom designed by AD Architecture, and a $4.2 million restoration of an iconic Campbells Bay property. The company’s in-house team of nine builders, many of whom have worked with Peter for years, bring continuity and craftsmanship to every project. “This project demonstrates that we can build anything to a high standard and can overcome any challenge to get the optimum result.” He says a key element in delivering successful projects is early contractor involvement. “We think this is so important. We have so much knowledge and expertise we can offer in the early planning stages and design process. We’ve had a few instances when we’ve come on board after plans have been drawn, and once the project is priced, it’s way over the client’s budget. “If we can put together construction budgets at the start, it means the project can stay on track and we can find cost-effective ways to do things,” explains Nic. Founded in 2012 NF Construction has built its reputation on architecturally designed homes that balance function, detail and aesthetics. Operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Mangawhai, the company approaches each build with the standard Nic would expect for his own home. Current projects the company is working on include a particularly meaningful build at Langs Beach, where a bach that has been in the family for 100 years is being demolished and rebuilt as a legacy project. With a family friend serving as architect and the son involved in the process, it exemplifies the early contractor involvement model. ADDINGSPACE+VALUETOYOURHOME Home Renovations • New Builds Design & Build • Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels Project Management • Carpentry & Joinery Email: admin@addspace.co.nz Phone: 021 222 5663 www.addspace.co.nz of building experience years 20+ 66 Bush Rd, Albany t: 9-415 6889 f: 9-415 6661 e: sales@albanytimber.co.nz w: www.albanytimber.co.nz For all your building needs. 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