88 | Celebrating lifestyle and longevity The project consists of a substantial shed with mezzanine, office, and habitable space, connected via a generous covered outdoor area and walkway to a three-bedroom, single-level home. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN First Draft & Shane Wilson Builders T T Kelly Deeks High above the water in Matatā, a two-stage coastal build that’s taking shape is as much about lifestyle as it is longevity. For local architectural designer, Hamish Macdonald, this project represents one of the most exciting commissions since launching his studio, First Draft, two and a half years ago. “It is more than a house and more than a shed,” Hamish says. “It is two distinct spaces that work together.” The project consists of a substantial shed with mezzanine, office, and habitable space, connected via a generous covered outdoor area and walkway to a three-bedroom, singlelevel home. Perched on the Matata cliffs, the house has sweeping views from Mount Maunganui, past Moutohorā Whale Island, and up to the tip of the East Cape. The clients have owned the property for two decades. Their former holiday home is being relocated off-site, clearing the way for a new build carefully positioned with full knowledge of prevailing winds, sun paths, and sheltered pockets. “They came to us with a very clear idea of where the house should sit,” Hamish says. “They have lived with that site for 20 years and they know it intimately.” While the home will initially serve as a holiday retreat, it is designed as a future primary residence. Single-level living was a deliberate choice, prioritising comfort, accessibility, and ease of maintenance without sacrificing luxury. “It needed to be functional for retirement living,” he says. “They have the elevation and the views. There was no need to go up.” The shed was completed first, under a staged building and consenting process, allowing work to progress while house details were finalised. Supporting a lock-up- andleave lifestyle, it allows friends and family to use the shed accommodation independently, while the main house remains private. The covered outdoor space creates flow between buildings, with provision to enclose additional sides in future if required. “We’ve got two and a half sides on the outdoor area, and we’ve made allowances for more sides later if required,” Hamish says. “Even when you know a site well, it is good to allow room to grow and change.” Engineering proved complex. With limited bracing opportunities and a desire for uninterrupted corner glazing, millimetre precision was required. Hamish worked closely with retiring local builder Shane Wilson, and engineers, to resolve structural challenges while maintaining clean architectural lines. “Everything had to be buildable,” he says. “There is a lot of back and forth to make sure details work on-site.” Cliff-edge setback requirements also prompted redesign. When council required a larger buffer zone, the house footprint shifted. Rather than compromising the project, the change created a stronger, more defined entrance sequence. “It was one of those moments where a constraint became an opportunity.” Materiality reflects both durability and context. Vertical corrugated trim rib cladding in dark Windsor Grey was selected for its lowmaintenance performance and agricultural character, acknowledging the working-farm setting of orchards and dry stock. First Draft operates across Whakatāne and the wider Bay of Plenty, including Ōpōtiki, Kawerau, and Tauranga. A licensed building practitioner design, Hamish brings handson renovation and building experience to every project, ensuring drawings translate seamlessly into construction. “I have spent many years pulling houses apart and putting them back together,” he says. “You learn quickly what works and what does not.” Supported by his partner in administration and design feedback, Hamish has built First Draft on referral and collaboration. Whether clients arrive with fully formed concepts or simply a list of requirements, the process remains conversational. “It is about taking their ideas and making them real,” he says. “Or helping them discover what is possible.” For Hamish, this project signals more than growth. It reflects a commitment to thoughtful, buildable design that responds to place, protects investment, and stands the test of time. FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING SUPPLIES Boxing, Placing & Readymix Supply 07 304 9468 www.beulah.nz ÎÚ Electrical Installations and Repairs Farm Services & Cowsheds • Effluent & Irrigation Systems • Commercial & Domestic Wiring Proud to support First Draft & Shane Wilson Builders 027 531 2549
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