70 | Stunning home high in the hills Featuring timber as its main construction material, this home is clad with Japanese charred cedar and finished internally in Australian hardwoods, Chris Butler Builders T T Kelly Deeks BUILDING Positive feedback and high recommendations for Tasman’s Chris Butler Builders have seen the firm winning some distinctly creative and interesting projects, with Chris and his team enjoying the opportunity to express their artistic sides as they work with some really inspiring clients on their unique projects. A recently completed project on the hills above Split Apple Rock in Tasman Bay combined beautiful sustainable materials and particular customer requirements to result in a stunning home that speaks to its owners’ personalities and passions. Featuring timber as its main construction material, this home is clad with Japanese charred cedar and finished internally in Australian hardwoods, with its decking all built from locally grown eucalypt. “Standard unsustainable rainforest hardwoods like kwila are something we’ve been trying to avoid for the past couple of years,” Chris says. “This locally sourced eucalypt is an excellent and sustainable alternative to imported hardwood.” Internally, Chris Butler Builders added a few interesting features which were completely unique to these well-travelled clients. A raised section of roof in the living area with glazing on all four sides perfectly displays an amazing transparent kayak picked up by this couple on their travels. Other collected ornaments and curiosities are now lovingly displayed in a highly-detailed built-in shelving unit next to the staircase, while Butanese carvings form the balustrade at the top of the stairs, which also features two gorgeous stained glass windows. “We’re pretty proud of what we’ve achieved with this build,” Chris says. “We love to build beautiful homes and this one is certainly at the pointy end of that category.” Now Chris Butler Builders has moved on to another project which couldn’t be much more different to a high end architectural home - an outdoor climbing wall for an outdoor education centre in Te Tauihu. Chris is a climber and his kids are heavy users of the centre’s programmes, so this project hits close to home and has some real significance for Chris, and he’s enjoying working with the trust that’s running it. While other builders are nailing wall frames together and popping roofs on top, Chris Butler Builders is winning projects with more substance. “We are lucky to get these types of projects,” he says. “Most builders don’t get to put that much creativity into their building, but in the past couple of years we’ve managed to get some projects with a lot of artistic scope. It keeps life interesting, and we have the right team of open-minded and really skilled builders who can handle these projects with aplomb.” Chris Butler Builders is a small family business with a team of three builders which is still pretty much the same team the company started with 10 years ago. Chris is a hands-on builder and he manages each project alongside his partner Swantje Melchiors, who takes a friendly and efficient approach to handling financial and administrative matters behind the scenes. The Chris Butler Builders team only takes on one project at a time. “We want to be able to really focus on our clients and provide the best service we can.” Proudly supporting Chris Butler Builders Proud to be working with Chris Butler Builders and supplying them with all their electrical requirements. Mapua & Outlying Districts Domestic, Commercial, Irrigation, Lighting Design and Installation Ben Thurlow • C: 0274 947 882 154 Stagecoach Road, Upper Moutere ben@overlandelectrical.co.nz
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