From Taranaki to the Tasman Sea
You’d be forgiven for missing Nigel and Linda Barbour’s 2016 Taranaki Regional Supreme Renovation Award winner, down a driveway off the main road to Oakura Beach. Once you see the unobstructed views, soaring out across the Tasman Sea, this Master Builders winning house won’t be one you’ll forget.
For a decade prior, Nigel and Linda lived in the adjacent street-front house. When their friends next door decided to downsize, they took their chance to buy it.
Architect Glenn Brebner and Builder David Fabish transformed the house, reshaping a bitsy exterior and boxy interior.
Subtle rather than stand-out, the exterior combines a Sto plaster system finished in Resene Wan White, concrete block and tiles finished in Resene Double Foundry, natural Kwila rain screens and cedar clad carport. Typhoon® spouting and RP80® 80mm round downpipe from the Marley Stratus Design Series® finish the look. Nigel and Linda wanted copper-coloured spouting to match the wood used.
We chose Marley Typhoon® for the durability and ability to handle heavy rain, which we sometimes get in the Naki. For ease of cleaning we went with the exterior brackets so no interior brackets get in the way
The unusual double staircases were retained. The interior was opened up with skylights added, walls removed, increased door heights and a widened hallway to funnel the eye towards that spectacular view. Yellow-white Resene Rice Cake was used to complement the warm cedar and cool grey tones inside.
To achieve a similar look, Nigel advises “Engage a good architect, designer and builder and involve them early in the process. The greatest amount of value is added at the front end.”
