Despite the challenge of eight neighbouring properties, this beautiful home was skilfully delivered by Simplexity Builders, bringing smiles all-round.

WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Mick Stephenson

BEAUTIFUL FLOORING The Hilton (Belgotex) Musk carpet is stain-proof, fade-proof and anti-allergenic. The engineered timber is from Godfrey Hirst. Both carpet and flooring were supplied by The Flooring Centre.

Someone once said, “May your walls know joy; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.” And that’s certainly the vibe that this new home exudes. And that is largely thanks to the team effort of homeowner, builder and architect.

A home is more than just a place to live, we all know that. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we value. So when we build a new home, we want it to be perfect. But for this homeowner, enjoying the process along the way was equally as important. She wanted the process to be enjoyable and enriching, rather than stressful and depleting.

So for that reason, she chose Jarrod Southon, the team at Simplexity Builders and Noel Strez of Noel Strez Architects to take on the task of building this home. Her brief to Noel was to design a modern three-bedroom, two-storey, low maintenance home.

“With a small site of 520 square metres, combined with the town planning regulations and recession plane requirements, the building form was largely pre-determined for us,” says Noel. “But we worked hard on the design to gain maximum orientation to the sun and gardens while at the same time meeting the brief for an easeful, low maintenance property.”

ELECTRICAL EXPERTISE The audio speakers, electric gate, landscape lighting, alarm system and lighting were all provided by Inception Electrical.

The homeowner’s desire for a two-storey property was so that she could see and enjoy the view of the Southern Alps from her bedroom. She also wanted a calm outdoor space.

“I had a desire for an internal courtyard as a place to relax in," says the homeowner. “I’ve travelled to Japan a few times, and I love that sense of peace that’s created by the use of courtyard spaces with tasteful green planting.”

SERENE COURTYARD The peaceful courtyard was designed and created by landscape architects, Kamo Marsh.

Once the design of the home was signed off, the architect set about recommending builders for the project. Top of the list for the homeowner was finding a builder who was easy to work with and receptive to her ideas. Jarrod from Simplexity Builders was an obvious choice. The architect and builder have worked together on over eight home build projects prior to this one, and they are both on the same page with their design philosophies.

“I saw my role as being the glue of this project,” says Jarrod. “Everyone does their part, and my team and I are always looking forward to keep the project on time and on budget.”

Not without the odd difficulty, this build was challenging primarily due to the enclosed nature of the section. With eight adjoining properties, getting the support of neighbours was a significant undertaking for Jarrod and his team.

may every room hold laughter

“Tristan Walter was my foreman on this project and did an absolutely outstanding job,” says Jarrod. “He managed the excavation during very wet times, and did a fabulous job of keeping the neighbours up to date.”

Noel agrees, saying, “Tristan’s ability to analyse projects three weeks in advance is second to none.”

Access to the site was the most significant challenge on this project. With the land labelled TC3, this meant the foundations needed to be of a superior standard. Letters were prepared for neighbours, advising them of site activities. The narrow driveway meant the transporting and storage of materials had to be carefully planned and executed.

PROPERLY PLASTERED The unmatched level of finish to the home was provided by Properly Plastered, a Christchurch company with over 25 years in business.

From the moment you walk inside, you are struck and delighted by the attention to detail and the high-quality workmanship that went into building this home. There is certainly a sense of being drawn in to discover the delights that lie within.

The lounge with its cathedral ceiling is another example of superior craftsmanship and the meticulous nature of the team’s work, made with dozens of narrow planks of cedarwood. “It’s one of my favourite parts of the home, as it creates a peaceful and quiet environment,” says the homeowner.

The large, sliding windows in the lounge create a beautiful open flow between inside and outside, and the engineered oak flooring gives the home a warm and natural feel. The lighting blends beautifully and provides focal points to catch the eye as you float through this tranquil home.

LET THERE BE LIGHT The sleek light above the dining table and in the stairwell were both supplied by Accent Lighting, as well as the stunning lounge and kitchen pendants.

“Because I could select the subcontractors on this job, I knew there would be no surprises,” says Jarrod. “I’ve been in the building business for over 25 years, so I know who I can rely on to provide a quality job. It also means I can be fairly accurate with my cost estimates, so no one gets any nasty surprises from a cost perspective.”

Jarrod points out, in particular, the clever use of entry-level textured tiles in the bathrooms and ensuites, to complement the superior gunmetal fixtures and fittings, which give the home a sophisticated, modern look.

“It’s these small details that make a big difference. For instance, the strip drains in the showers and the alcove in the master ensuite. These are relatively straightforward things to do, but they can really lift the home to the next level of luxury,” says Jarrod.

The close-knit team of builder, architect and homeowner worked seamlessly together throughout the build and met frequently on-site to talk through any changes or upcoming work. “At the finish of the build process, I missed not having them around,” says the homeowner. "It was a pleasure to work with Tristan.”

In Jarrod’s words, “You have to enjoy the process and have a laugh. That’s what it’s all about.”

It’s clear that this combined team took a lot of pride in their work, and it shows in the results. These walls will certainly stand the test of time and provide the homeowner with years of joy and laughter.