| 109 T T Kelly Deeks Hill builds a passion for Chch team Christchurch’s Jono Blakely Builders won a Regional Gold Award and Regional Category Award at this year’s House of the Year Awards. Jono Blakely Builders BUILDING Ingenious use of a hillside section in Christchurch has resulted in a home with the best of both worlds – unobstructed views and minimal stairs –- won its builder Jono Blakely Builders the Regional Gold Award and Regional Category Award at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year 2023. Jono Blakely has always had a passion for hill building. He started his career doing an apprenticeship with a boutique building company where he learnt the trades of painting, plastering, concreting, tiling, and landscaping, which largely set up his career. “I’m incredibly grateful for the skills I learnt during this time and enjoy being able to pass on the same opportunities to my team,” Jono says. It was during Jono’s apprenticeship that he participated in the Apprentice of the year competition and took out the regional apprentice of the year award. Jono built his first home in Westmorland in his spare time while working as a foreman for a high end architectural building company. A project that took nine months of hard work and late nights to complete. Jono’s’ hard work was recognized by onlookers which eventually gave him the opportunities to set up his own building company. From here, it was always Jono’s dream to participate in the House of the Year competition. Jono was involved in his award-winning project right from the start. “I had a fantastic team of subcontractors working closely on this project, which is vital for a successful build.” “This particular section was chosen largely because the house in front had already been built, so it was clear from the start what views would be captured and the clients knew it would never be built out.” The brief for unobstructed views of the Southern Alps, city lights, and sunsets was achieved by utilising a single split-level home on poles, with a large deck across the front and a sizable lawn for the kids to play. This enabled space for triple car garaging with drive through access at the rear with room to park the trailer or boat. The house is built to follow the contour of the land. The garage and entranceway at the back of the house allow for the living areas and bedrooms to take full advantage of the panoramic views. Inside the front door, a small flight of five feature steps lead to the kitchen and living room, with a spectacular view of the mountains opening up in front of you as you descend. Generous glazing makes the most of these views, while a raked ceiling is enhanced with skylights creating a bright and open space. On the exterior, a smart Central Otago style profile is achieved with TARC Snaplock Tray cladding accented with Western red cedar, and complemented by the same style of landscaping with low maintenance native plants, hebes, and tussocks. “Getting this to work in a cost-effective way led us to putting the house onto poles,” Jono says. “This created somewhere to put the storm water retention tank as well as a large storage area under the house. J Jono is honoured to have been recognized with his entry into the House of the Year competition and looks forward to being able to participate in this event again in the future. “Getting this to work in a cost-effective way led us to putting the house onto poles.” P. 03 349 0383 | M. 0274 323 327 750Halswell Junction Road, Hornby, Christchurch cochranetimberandtrusses@xtra.co.nz We supply quality framing timber and specialise in Douglas Fir (NZ Oregon) which has superior strength and stability. We are pleased to support Jonowith his building projects. COCHRANETIMBER&TRUSSES LTD Framing Timber - Pre-nailed Frames - Pryda Trusses
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