78 | T T Russell Fredic Judges wax lyrical over ‘epic’ home BUILDING “Strong exterior forms of schist, concrete, steel and timber that are works of art”. This is just a small portion of the 2023 House of the Year judges’ effusive description of the Southern region Builder’s Own Home award-winning entry. Sited on Morven Hill, Lake Hayes, the house was built by Form Construction director Hamish Noton. “These external materials and hues, so in tune with the immediate environment, are brought indoors and celebrated,” the judges added. They also described the 442 square metre home as “epic” and an exemplar of a powerful form executed with finesse. Hamish’s vision and craftsmanship resulted in an outstanding seven 2023 House of the Year awards, comprising the Regional and National Category Winner and Craftsmanship Awards, National Top 100, Regional Gold and Regional Lifestyle Bathroom Excellence. Form Construction is a partnership between Hamish and Richard Capstick who is a former apprentice of the business, mentored by Hamish. “I designed and built the house myself. I come from a strong design background,” Hamish says. “I actually was toying with becoming an architect when I was younger, but headed down the building route and I’m pleased I did in the end because now I get the best of both worlds.” With commanding views from its elevated perch, the house has a monopitch roof and is cut into a “tough”, very steep site which determined many aspects of its construction and design. Built for a family of five, high on the priority list was sustainability and building to high performance principles in relation to airtightness and thermal efficiency. “The other thing is that I’ve always loved playing with raw materials, so concrete, steel and timber was combined and we just tried to source as much as we could out of New Zealand.” This includes abundant use of Lawson Cypress from the South Island’s West Coast, along with concrete elements that include exposed ceiling beams, polished concrete floors in the kitchen and lounge, exposed steel interior and exterior structural elements, and a suspended steel stairway being one of the numerous special features. These raw elements are beautifully complemented by refined materials of oak veneer kitchen cabinetry and a brass splashback, marble and stone and other thoroughly considered design elements. “ We’ve brought a lot of timber in to bring warmth to the structure and make it feel cosy.” The Lawson Cypress further adds a pleasant lifted aroma the look and feel of the materials and people walking into the house for the first time take some time to absorb it all, Hamish says. “The house ignites all of your senses. There’s just so much to take in.” Some of the design evolved during construction, with Hamish initially taking a yearand-a-half off work to complete the bulk of the build which overall took three-and-a-half years. Although totally bespoke, it was built for a family of five and with functionality and resale in mind. It includes spacious open plan living that leads onto a large deck with a pool and spa, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a flexible-use den, a media room and garaging for five cars. “We are super proud of what we’ve produced. A house [build] will maybe have some regrets, but this one has got very few; we are really proud of that.” Hamish is also extremely proud of Form Construction having won so many top House of the Year awards. “Especially craftsmanship, that’s probably the biggest award. “Craftsmanship nationally goes to the house that scored the highest points in the competition, so to take that award really is something that we are super-proud of; just knowing that the level of competition that we are up against, and to think that it was the highest scoring house in New Zealand is really humbling.” Form Construction Proudly supporting Form Construction. 03 448 8832 11 Ngapara St, Alexandra www.wedgerwood.co.nz
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