Business South March 2024

80 | Homes that are a joy to live in Robust materials such as polished, exposed aggregate concrete floors and steel structural columns and beams, combine with the home’s schist cladding and sheet steel features. SE Design T T Russell Fredric ARCHITECTURE Adding his unique touch to the architecture of Central Otago, designer Scott Ede says making homes a joy to live in is at the heart of his approach to achieving great design. Scott set up his practice, SE Design, in Cromwell in 2011 after gaining diplomas in architectural draughting and architectural technology at Otago Polytechnic. After qualifying, he did a short stint working for a civil construction company and a builder respectively, partly to get some fresh air after being in the classroom for the previous few years. However, the building experience has proved invaluable and is something Scott highly recommends to emerging designers due to it adding practical knowledge to parts of the design and detailing process. His timing in starting SE Design turned out to be ideal due to a lack of local designers and architects creating a gap a busy construction market. “Cromwell itself is the fastest growing town in New Zealand, and it has been for the last five-plus years,” Scott says. Scott has a passion for designing eco-friendly, high performance homes that are better for the occupants and the environment. “I think we are starting to see a lot more acknowledgement and interest in home owners and clients to incorporate those principles and features into their builds. People are becoming more aware of the waste involved in construction and the need for more energy efficient entry-level homes. “That is where I’m really putting my passion. It’s an ever evolving area of construction. Although it’s a relatively new concept in New Zealand, it’s certainly not globally. We are trying to catch up with everyone else.” One of his most recent projects, located in Wanaka, was designed for a builder and his family. It incorporates raw elements to create a mix of industrial and contemporary styles. “We decided to expose the bracing elements and make features out of them rather than trying to hide them.” The street elevation, which overlooks Mt Iron, is glazed almost entirely along its full length while the north aspect is more private and opens onto a large courtyard/deck and pool area, with a sheltered timber deck leading off the living area. Clad in schist stone, it’s form pays homage to the roche moutonnée mountain forms in the area such as nearby Mt Iron which can be seen from multiple spaces in the home. Polished, exposed aggregate concrete floors and steel structural columns and beams, combine with its schist cladding and sheet steel features. “These robust materials provide a sense of strength and attachment to the landscape.” “We decided to expose the bracing elements and make features out of them rather than trying to hide them.” Heating is underfloor from a heat pump that is supported by solar panels and batteries, ensuring consistent and economical power supply with wood burners for winter back up and ambience. With the abundant glazing, using high preforming thermally broken aluminium joinery was key. The kitchen and bathrooms ooze luxury with the use of marble and oak veneer cabinets while retaining functional and robust spaces for the family to enjoy. Both Scott and the client are delighted with the result. “I’m really pleased; the owners are really stoked, and from a visual perspective it’s very impressive to look at. It came out really well.” www. harroldbui lding. com 027 253 9861 mharroldbuilding@gmail.com New builds | Renovation | Addition | Alterations Proud to support SE Design

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