82 | BUILDING A unique rammedearth house View over Lake Wanaka through timber framed windows from the elevated site. Russell Fredric Central Otago: Down To Earth Building Two Wanaka builders have combined their considerable expertise in the construction of a striking rammed-earth house being built in the Central Otago town. Down to Earth Building director Jimmy Cotter and Thomas Moore Building director Nigel Moore have teamed up to build a unique 400 square metre, two to three storey split level home designed by Assembly Architects of Arrowtown. The pair have already completed many successful projects together, Jimmy says. “We’ve formalised a company on this particular project because it’s a very large one. We grew up together in Wanaka and we worked overseas together, and we’ve always helped each other out.” The house is being built on an elevated site overlooking the lake and mountains and is expected to be completed April-May this year. The detail and craftsmanship involved in its construction reveals the skill and passion of all involved, with Jimmy and Nigel describing it as a “top project” and a very complex build that is expected to take about two-and-a-half-years to complete. Jimmy has built more than 70 residential and commercial rammed-earth buildings in the past three decades, but a house of this height is a first for him while it is the third time the client has chosen to have a rammed-earth house built. “They obviously love them, they are such a beautiful home to live in, they really appreciate the qualities; it’s nice and cool in the summer and lovely and warm in the winter. It’s pretty special.” Beautifully complementing its rammed earth structural walls is an abundance of timber, comprising tongue and groove negative detailed oak on the interior walls and ceilings, and New Zealand manufactured Abodo thermally modified timber on the exterior. The substantial glazing is also timber framed. The overall effect is of a home that is both unpretentious and sophisticated as well as timeless and warmly inviting. Inside the abundance of negative detailed oak panelling on the walls and ceilings is especially striking and highlights the incredible amount of attention to detail required. An unexpected bonus of the oak being specified was that because there is not a single sheet of Gib board in the house and consequently there was no delay due to the shortage last year, however the timber had to be ordered a year in advance. Nigel says he and Jimmy were delighted to be chosen to undertake the project. “It’s a pleasure to be given something so intricate and being allowed to spend the time and really craft it; it’s a very, very tricky build and it has been a challenge, but when you see the result it’s well worth it.” “It’s a pleasure to be given something so intricate and being allowed to spend the time and really craft it; it’s a very, very tricky build and it has been a challenge, but when you see the result it’s well worth it. ”While the scale and detail of the project, which came with 200 pages of plans, drawing details and specifications and includes 4,500 lineal metres of timber could be daunting, the key has been taking it a day at a time, Nigel says. “It’s been amazing, just what it’s taken to get to where we are now; small steps on the job, not getting over-awed from day one, and just working our way through. There’s a lot of detail, but we knew we could do it.” Down to Earth director Jimmy Cotter (left) and Nigel Moore of Thomas Moore Building, showcasing the texture and warm tones of the rammed earth walls and oak panelled ceiling in this highly bespoke build in Wanaka. Stewart L. Parker BCom, C.A Mob: 027 223 0001 S.L. PARKER C.A. LTD Chartered Accountants PO Box 5708, Dunedin, New Zealand Phone: 03 488 6202 WANAKA S I T EWORKS
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