Paradise Found

Surrounded by native forest, this new-build in the Waitakeres maintains a ‘modern beach house’ edge while blending easily into its habitat

- Jessica-Belle Greer

CHALLENGE

The home needed to fit in with the native bush landscape to keep things looking natural.

A dark exterior was required to fit the brief for a modern home with the look of a black beach house.

Attention to detail was important for a quality look and feel throughout the home.

SOLUTION

James Hardie Linea Oblique Weatherboard in black, along with cedar, was used on the exterior to help the house recede visually.

James Hardie Linea Oblique Weatherboard can be painted any colour, even the darker shades.

James Hardie HardieGroove Soffit Lining continues the lines of the Linea Oblique Weatherboard for a seamless exterior finish.

1| LOCATION

The Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland are home to the giants of the forest, the great kauri trees, as well as red rata and eye-catching native ferns. Such a dense carpet of flora brings a sense of peace to homeowners who choose to put down roots in the surrounding area.

For Alastair Gair and Briohny Hooper-Gair, the Ranges’ calming environment and close proximity to Auckland were cause to find their own piece of this paradise, and design a home to suit the natural landscape. “It’s our first home. We found a decent site and it felt like it could be a great place for us,” say the couple, who was picturing a home inspired by a modern beach-house aesthetic.

2| LAY OF THE LAND

The family worked with Dan Bennett of A1 Homes to realise their dream. With Alastair being a builder, the couple were very involved in the planning process, and decided to tweak a standard home plan, adding a lounge upstairs for an additional relaxation zone. Surrounded by native plants, the area the home could cover was limited.