90 | BUILDING Q-TECH Construction T T Russell Fredric Striking home reflects company’s culture Incorporating the two open gable ends and achieving sufficient structural bracing required engineering uncommon in a residential build. An outstanding rural home built by Q-TECH Construction epitomises the harmonious marriage between design, craftsmanship and a strong commitment to seeing the client’s dream realised. Q-TECH Construction is owned by husbandand-wife team Blake and Emma-Jane O’Connor, who run the business from Riversdale in Northern Southland. They and their team are delighted with the result they achieved for a client in a recently completed rural home at Wendon, which replaces the original 120-year-old homestead that could not be satisfactorily renovated. With a steeply pitched roof, lime wash brick veneer and cedar right up the gables echoing a heritage-influenced design, the new 300sqm house immediately makes an impressive statement from the driveway. It comprises two offset, linked pavilions, with the main lounge, dining and kitchen areas’ ceiling lined with tongue-and-groove pine panelling, painted white. This section features an exposed truss and windows in both gable ends, with the north elevation leading to a generous portico, which duplicates the same ceiling and truss design, but stained in a dark tone that complements the light-toned brick. Inside, these design elements, combined with the 2550mm wall height, create a striking sense of openness, space and light, with the added feature of timber from the original homestead being included in the kitchen’s island counter. With today’s homes being well insulated and easy to heat, a higher ceiling is an increasingly popular choice, Blake says. “I think [the higher ceiling] makes the house feel a bit bigger and more grand. That natural light adds to the space; it’s a big house but it feels even bigger.” Incorporating the two open gable ends and achieving sufficient structural bracing required engineering uncommon in a residential build. “The house was quite highly engineered because of the span and the shape of that section,” says Blake. “It’s got four, full structural columns spaced throughout. The internal truss is still doing something, but it’s reasonably decorative when you consider the engineering and the structure around it. There was a lot in it; there was a fair bit of design and preparation for it, but it went extremely smoothly.” The house has four bedrooms and includes a family room separate to the main living areas with wraparound decking providing both an appealing external design element as well as great indoor-outdoor flow, especially from the living area and portico. The main living room has a wood burner, while heating and cooling elsewhere are provided by a ducted heat pump. With homes being so much more energy efficient and having more glazing, cooling and ventilation is now as important as heating, Blake says. Construction started mid-2024, and was completed late March, with an impressive build time of 10 months, especially considering the home’s size, the complexity of the engineered section, and the overall detailing. Blake attributes this time frame to being pedantic with management, planning, scheduling and having a carefully hand-picked team to ensure a good work culture, skills he and Emma-Jane learnt when they had a building business in Australia. “I think 10 months really was very good. We were really happy with it. We really wanted to push to have a good build time.” Blake and Emma-Jane moved to Queensland’s Gold Coast in 2011, started a business six months later, also under the Q-TECH Construction name, and spent 11 years there. They grew the business to eventually employing 40 staff at Q-Tech Construction’s peak in what was a fast-paced, highly competitive, volatile environment, which provided them with some valuable skills they have transferred to their current business. Specialists in Kitchen & Bathroom Joinery, Door & Windows, Interior & Exterior Furniture Makers & Polishers 105 Liverpool Street, Riversdale, 9744 ● Cell: 027 944 7715 riversdalejoinery@gmail.com P A I N T I N G & G I B S T O P P I N G Ethan Hamilton 10+ years experience 027 847 8203 ethan@primelinepainting.co.nz Ph: 03 218 8919 • Email: admin@insidesystems.co.nz • 121 Eye Street • PO Box 1133, Invercargill • Plumbing • Drainage • Air Conditioning • Heating • Ventilation WAIPOUNAMU CONTRACTING LTD (CIVIL) SPECIALISING IN HOUSE & SHED SITES, DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION, LANDSCAPING, DRAINAGE, HYDRO VAC TRUCK, AUGER DRILLING & YOUR FULL TURNKEY OPERATION. 027 433 2013 | o ice@sansonag.co.nz
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