DOUBLE DOWN

A couple in the building industry liked a semi-rural location so much, they bought and built in the area twice.

1 THE DESIGN

Given Hayden and Ashleigh Dam own a building company, they have a tendency to spend only three or so years in each new home they build. "We enjoy seeing all the new ideas and styles coming out and want to try them, admits Hayden. For the couple's latest build, a four-bedroom, 286sqm house in Palmerston North, they were keen to try a pavilion-style home, with two buildings connected to a central walkway similar to one they'd seen on a trip to Taupō. The house is the second property they've built in this subdivision, which they like for its views across the Manawatu, the semi-rural location and the flat building site, which is "key to keeping costs down".

2 THE MATERIALS

They used Linea Oblique Weatherboard by James Hardie, which accounted for 80 percent of the exterior, and band-sawn cedar on the gable ends. Hayden says the weatherboard cladding is able to stand up to the "very high wind zone" and was able to be painted a dark natural colour, which is something they had to abide by in the subdivision's covenants. They also liked the fact that Linea Oblique Weatherboard is low maintenance, affordable and suited their style of home. "We found that you could alternate the Linea Oblique Weatherboard from 200mm to 300mm boards. This helped achieve a design difference at relatively little expense," says Hayden.

3 THE INTERIOR

The open-plan central living space has a pitched ceiling that carries through to the outdoor area, accessible through stacking doors that can be opened in summer.