Business South November 2021

68 | Team flying high after a major win T T Russell Fredric The house incorporates two connected pavilions, allowing for floor to ceiling glazing in the main living area. BUILDING Central Otago: Luke Cunliffe Builder “Some people have entered for years and struggled to get anything, so to get the bronze award the first time was pretty cool.” F ledgling Alexandra business Luke Cunliffe Builder is flying high after winning a Reg - istered Master Builders House of the Year award for a first-time entry. Owner Luke Cunliffe is delighted to have won the southern region bronze award for a pavilion-style four bedroom family home he built in semi-rural Alexandra. He started his business four years ago with a hankering to be his own boss and to undertake the type work that aligned with his own interests, including renovations and new residential builds. During his time in the trade he devel- oped an understanding of how important client relationships and communication are throughout a project, whether with a client or sub-contractors. Having received the award as a first time entrant was a particularly special achieve- ment, especially when he saw the standard of the other award-winning entries and that he had only been a member of Registered Master Builders for six months. “To be on the same platform and get an award along with them was pretty surreal. “Some people have entered for years and struggled to get anything, so to get the bronze award the first time was pretty cool.” Designed by Lauren Cuthbertson of LMP Architectural Design, the 228 square metre home was built for personal friends of Luke as their “forever home”. The client had a good outline of what they wanted and were referred to LMP Design by Luke. The central focus was a functional home that caters well for practical family living in its rural environment. The house incorporates two connected pavilions with 4.6 metre high gables, allowing for floor to ceiling glazing in the main living area which has a full-height vaulted ceiling and which flows out to a portico. The floor in the kitchen/living area is a complementary combination of carpet and polished concrete. The open plan kitchen is minimalist, but functional and with a large island bench and modern appliances is ideal for catering for guests, while the scullery concealed behind the kitchen conveniently leads to the laundry and spacious garage. For heating and cooling, the owners are spoilt for choice with a combination of under- floor heating, a wood burner and heat pump catering for every need in every season. There are also great outdoor options on the full-width concrete deck for enjoying long hot Central Otago summer nights or alfres- co breakfasts, while the children can run rampant on the expansive fully-fenced grass areas. “It really suits the central lifestyle, for spend- ing the majority of the summer leisure time outside.” The exterior is clad in warmly toned vertical cedar and plastered Integra lightweight concrete facade which creates a nice contrast between colour and texture. Not surprisingly, Luke is genuinely pleased with the result. “I love the house, it’s something I would have built for myself and the site makes the house as well the excellent indoor-outdoor flow. “We like going out there and enjoying it ourselves.” Being a Registered Master Builders member is important to his business, Luke says. “It’s for the recognition of the name and the quality and integrity needed to be a member,” he says. “I think the 10 year guarantee and the con- tract template they provide gives the clients certainty as well.” PROUD SUPPLY PARTNER OF LUKE CUNLIFFE BUILDERS TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING NEW ZEALAND ALEXANDRA (03) 440 2335 www.placemakers.co.nz