| 105 Kenny Builders BUILDING Servicing Balclutha & Gore Areas WASTE SERVICES & TRANSPORT OPERATORS 0800 GOWASTE 0800 469 278 admin@jdsouness.co.nz www.jdsouness.co.nz Keeley McLaughlin 0274859015 havelockdecorating@gmail.com PROUDLY SUPPORTING KENNY BUILDERS T T Kelly Deeks Challenging builds all part of the fun At one end, the house sits flush with the ground, while the other rises about four and a half metres above it. Kenny Builders is finding its niche in the more challenging end of residential construction, with Lawrence builder Bailey Kenny increasingly taking on more architecturally designed homes, substantial renovations, and restoration work. The past couple of years have brought projects that have pushed Bailey and his team beyond conventional building work, including the transformation of an old church into a character-filled home. The clients decided to turn their unique property into their dream home, adding a bedroom and bathroom to the beautiful old building. Bailey’s interest was piqued immediately on hearing about the project and was keen to take it on, particularly because it allowed him to work with the building’s existing character. The extension was designed to sit comfortably alongside the original structure, with a high-pitched roof, new UPVC windows, and retained stained glass incorporated into the new joinery. A deck at the front completes the home. Another major renovation followed, involving a relatively young house that was effectively stripped back and almost doubled in size. Only two existing walls remained untouched, with the project bringing together extensive renovation work and new construction. The project also gave Bailey more opportunities to explore architectural detailing, including a fully tiled wet floor bathroom and ensuite, and a built-in fireplace with a concrete mantle. Bailey has also recently completed one of his most technically demanding projects yet, an architecturally designed house built into a steep hillside. At one end, the house sits flush with the ground, while the other rises about four and a half metres above it. Two split levels and a design incorporating multiple angles have required the house to work with, rather than against, the contours of the site. “There’s only so much you can put on a plan. Sometimes you’ve got to think about how to make things work, and that’s what I enjoy about being a builder.” Significant structural steel was another new challenge for Bailey, who had not previously worked on a project involving so much steel. Understanding how the steel and building elements would come together on the hillside created a learning curve, but one he has thoroughly enjoyed. “You can build a house pretty easily on a flat piece of land,” he says. “We have learned so much on this job, and we have gained invaluable practical experience.” The increasingly architectural nature of Kenny Builders’ work has strengthened its relationships with architects as well as Bailey’s preferred designer, Archdraught in Invercargill. Kenny Builders is deliberately moving towards work where problem-solving and craftsmanship are central. Bailey says the focus is increasingly on projects with architectural complexity, unusual sites, significant renovation, and heritage elements, where he and his team can showcase their skills and build on their experience. With several challenging projects behind him, Bailey is looking forward to what comes next. Kenny Builders is now exploring an exciting potential project that would take the team further into the restoration and heritage-building space. While it is still early days, Bailey says it is exactly the sort of challenging work the company is keen to pursue. “There’s only so much you can put on a plan. Sometimes you’ve got to think about how to make things work, and that’s what I enjoy about being a builder.”
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