| 95 Plenty of intricacies in Piha project The project involves rebuilding the bach from the ground up on a steep site, plus adding a separate studio. Macreadie Builders T T Russell Fredric West Auckland-based Macreadie Builders, led by owner Joel Macreadie, has crafted a reputation for outstanding architectural builds and skilful renovations that breathe new life into a home. Macreadie Builders is currently working on a project in Piha Beach, undertaking what was originally intended to be the major renovation of a single bedroom 1930s’-era holiday bach. Architecturally designed, the project involves rebuilding the bach from the ground up on a steep site, plus adding a separate studio, which will be a great space for the client’s two teenage children. “We are pretty much rebuilding it like-forlike. The original cottage was probably 65 square metres and we are rebuilding it to 110 square metres,” Joel says. “We had the best intentions of keeping the foundations from the original structure and keeping the original floorboards, but as we started to pull the house apart it became clear that it just wasn’t going to be realistic to keep anything.” However, some items, including the rimu floorboards, are being recycled and incorporated into the new building. While the design of the bach largely retains its original features like-for-like, the 55sqm studio is more architectural. “It’s got cedar facias, cedar cladding and battens, dark colours, polished concrete floors, so it’s quite sleek as opposed to the more traditional building at the front. They are treating the main cottage like a jewellery box as such, so the interior designers are pulling out all the stops on the interior. It’s going to be amazing,” says Joel. BUILDING “For the cottage, we’re going to reflect the board and batten to the inside as well.” One of the biggest overall challenges with the project has been “working in the rugged, wild west conditions”. Work started November last year and is expected to be completed about September this year. While the two buildings combined don’t represent a large project, there are plenty of intricacies and the need for good planning. “There’s a lot going on with it. There’s a lot of finesse required for what the architects, client and interior designer are trying to achieve, and it requires a lot of thought, that’s for sure.” Piha suffered badly in Cyclone Gabrielle, and Joel has become involved in local authority mitigation work in the wake of the storm. “Our property had been affected by the cyclone, and I was pretty quick to move on getting the consents and working through the process to do my mitigation works on the property. “Because of that I’ve figured out the whole process of how to work through the [recovery] funding with the council, so I’ve picked up a bit of consulting work for the affected properties as well.” Highlighting the company’s capability with new builds, Macreadie Builders is in the final stages of a joint-venture development in Oratia, West Auckland, building four high-end houses, with the fourth expected to be completed in three months. Joel is a member of New Zealand Certified Builders and employs three trade staff, two of whom are women, Brenna Bishop and Hannah Stavers, while the other, Marshal, is Joel’s younger brother. All are trade qualified and are supported by Elle Preston, who handles administration and other key office-based roles as well as managing groundworks development. Making themost For ideas and information about our windows and doors talk to MDAluminium on 09 836 6922 WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WE CAN ASSIST WITH ALL YOUR ACCOUNTANCY, ADVISORY AND TAX REQUIREMENTS O ering a comprehensive range of Accounting, Tax & Business Advisory services. 09-827 9956 admin@couttsandsyers.co.nz couttsandsyers.co.nz Directors: Joel Macreadie 027 669 2900 | Noah Preston 021 859 785 Public & Private Drainage Solutions | Complex Shaping & Retaining Walls Small-Scale & Bulk Excavation www.groundworkdevelopments.com
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