| 99 ARCHITECTURE Mike Brewerton Architects Happy clients the measure of success His versatility as an architect comprises a wide range of styles, including contemporary builds and numerous old homes that have been given a new lease of life. T T Russell Fredric “My speciality is new builds and renovations, and I have a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry.” With close to three decades of architecture experience nationally and internationally, Mike Brewerton’s continued passion is to help clients realise their vision, with a high regard for their budget. “I grew up on the west coast of the Waikato at Te Akau, and now spread my time between Auckland, the Waikato, and the Coromandel Peninsula,” says Mike. “My speciality is new builds and renovations, and I have a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry.” Mike takes a highly consultative approach with his clients, having strong consideration for maximising value, the functionality of spaces, design elements, aspect and maximising natural light. As well as adding considerable value to the liveability and enjoyment of a home, an architect can save a client thousands of dollars by avoiding costly mistakes for both a new build or a renovation, as well as potentially increasing the resale value. “A design that is appropriate for the site captures the sun, captures the view and deals with things like wind and exposure to the road,” Mike says. These factors were paramount for the design of a single-level house in Miranda, perched on a ridge overlooking the expanse of the Firth of Thames, built as a retirement home for an Auckland couple. “It is fairly sheltered from the west, and definitely sheltered from the south – the views are amazing. Every major room faced the view; the only room that didn’t face the view was the laundry. The bathroom looks directly at Kopu Bridge. The master bedroom sees the whole firth and out to the tip of Coromandel Peninsula.” The client liked arts and craft style, along with yoga, which influenced some aspects of the design, Mike says. The exterior features horizontal cedar cladding, with a gabled verandah, which includes stone pillars overlooking the firth. The project was a good example of saving money by using recycled materials that added architectural design features. “They found a big sliding door that was made of oak, which they sliced in half and it became the front door. We put louvres on the end of the yoga room to control the heat.” Not only was the house “fun to design”, most importantly the clients love the house, Mike says. “It was a very, very good project. If I get to walk away and the clients are happy, then I’ve succeeded.” Having initially studied architectural drafting, followed by gaining his degree in architecture before CAD (computer aided drawing) was commonplace, Mike has carried through with traditional hand-drafting for working drawings, and even engages an Auckland artist to provide 3D watercolour renders of his designs. “As I went through university, computers were just starting to make an appearance,” he says. Following a four-year tenure at established practice Cook, Hitchcock and Sargisson, Mike RURAL, COUNTRY & LIFESTYLE BUILDING SPECIALISTS MORE THAN 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVING THE WIDER FRANKLIN AREA We specialise in (but not limited to) rural, country and lifestyle build. We are straight up honest, reliable, realistic and fair. Projects include client brief, architectural design, all finished to a high spec, style and budget, the way you want it. 0800 NZ BUILD jason@nzbuildingdevelopments.co.nz www.nzbuildingdevelopments.co.nz started his own practice 27 years ago at the age of 30. His versatility as an architect comprises a wide range of styles, including contemporary builds and numerous old homes that have been given a new lease of life. His own four-year-old home, a weatherboard and board and batten-clad house with deep verandahs and full-height shutters – an Australian colonial design with added French and colonial influences – has been so been well designed in this style it has fooled even people in the building sector into thinking it was built a century ago. One of the ultimate compliments came from a former schoolmate, Mike says. “He said, ‘Which was the original part of the house?’ I said, the whole lot’s new.”
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