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JUST A STONE’S THROW FROM THE LAKE AND TOWN OF WĀNAKA SITS THIS EXQUISITE FOREVER FAMILY HOME, IMMACULATELY BUILT BY SMBC ARCHITECTURAL BUILDERS.

WORDS KATHY CATTON PHOTOGRAPHY MARINA MATTHEWS

There’s a saying in life that what you put in is what you get out. Basically, if you keep working hard, chances are that down the road your life will change, and you will see the connection between what you put in and what you end up getting back.

This motto certainly rings true for the creators and builders of this beautiful home build in Wa¯naka.

It’s a story that started several years ago, when homeowner David Reid founded a building company in Christchurch after the earthquakes, and contracted builder Sam Manson to carry out some of the work. A few years later, Sam, David and architect Tobin Smith appeared together on TVNZ’s reality TV series Mitre 10 Dream Home. The three formed excellent working relationships, which have stood the test of time. So, when Sam returned to Wa¯naka after ten years growing his high-end renovations and architectural build company in Christchurch, it was a logical opportunity to build David and Sue Reid’s home at their new location of Wa¯naka.

“Build relationships, commit to what you’re doing one hundred per cent and take pride in your work are personal mottos of mine,” says Sam. “It was a great opportunity to work on a house of this calibre in my first year back in Wa¯naka.”

Homeowners Sue and David Reid have been part of the building industry for over 30 years, and it has always been on their mind to build a final forever home in their dream location of Wa¯naka.

“After starting a second building company in response to the rebuild in Christchurch after the earthquakes and our fourth daughter moving to study in Auckland, Dave and I made the decision to return to Wa¯naka and take up this amazing opportunity to build on a subdivision we have envisaged for many years,” says Sue.

The beautiful home sits within the Alpine Estate in Wa¯naka and maximises views to the north and northwest, facing the mountains and out to Rob Roy Glacier in the distance. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the lake and town, yet quiet and with views in every direction, this home has a stunning location to match its attractive design.

The extensive 442 square metre home was designed by CoLab Architects. It is a home of three wings: a guest wing housing three bedrooms with a separate lounge and kitchenette, a main living and dining wing, and a wing connecting the two with a master bedroom, ensuite, library and wine cellar.

GREEN SCREENING The sympathetic soft landscaping from The Yard, has been designed to create screening over time where needed and frame the stunning vistas, bringing the outdoors in.

This set-up offers options to accommodate visits by the couple’s four daughters and partners, as well as grandchildren and other visitors. In addition, there is a granny flat and a man-shed on the property.

It’s the living area that really commands the attention of this home. With a stunning five-metre central benchtop and large sliding windows adjoining the living space with an outdoor covered terrace, this layout allows a no-fuss indoor-outdoor flow.

What’s been created here is an entertainers’ dream home. The oversized sliding doors leading to expansive outside areas around the pool are ideal for bringing the outside in. The schist open fire in the living space creates the perfect cosy atmosphere in the cooler months. And the clever addition of a media room to the right of the entry ticks all the boxes for when entertaining is an inside affair.

“We are in love with our outdoor entertaining areas, which capture the views of the mountains and park beautifully, and the pool at the centre of this, just makes it perfect,” says Sue.

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The pressure was on for builder Sam to overcome the inevitable challenges that arise with a complex house build like this. “The main living area consists of five over-height steel portals all connected by a steel ridge beam – that was challenging,” says Sam. “We had to work everything around the bulkhead that runs through the living area. And with floor to ceiling windows at either end of the gable, this meant the steel and roof framing had to be millimetre perfect so the cedar tongue and groove ceiling would run seamlessly in the window reveals.”

The solid nature of structural steel, means that once it’s in position it’s difficult to manipulate. The team at SMBC has undoubtedly risen to the challenge and produced an immaculately finished home, which the owners are incredibly proud of. Throw in an eight-week delay due to a Covid-19 lockdown and the aftermath of sourcing materials, and you start to appreciate the intricacies that have gone into this seamless build.

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THOUGHTFUL DESIGN The long galley kitchen design from Prime Kitchens has created a considered space that flows well for entertaining.

Sam acknowledges everyone’s effort that went into building this home, and Sue and David pay thanks to Sam’s skillful perfectionist’s eye. “Sam is a perfectionist, so when you have such a large project, that is exactly what you need,” says Sue. “His communication was brilliant, and he understood our vision and executed it perfectly. Every trade knew what was expected of them as Sam set the standard very high from the beginning, and it was a pleasure to work with him and his team on our dream home.”

This immaculate attention to detail can be seen throughout the home, with beautiful finishings and products used throughout the build.

“I love our bedroom looking out to the pool area and the expansive bathroom with plantation shutters and a free-standing bath,” says Sue. “It’s my idea of heaven!”

Dave’s personal favourite is the library, situated in the hallway adjacent to the master bedroom, and the outdoor kitchen with bar leaner and built-in barbecue area. The entire home has a feeling of being inspired by the past but optimistic about the future.

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This is a home Sam and his team of subcontractors can be proud of. Leading a small, boutique building company allows Sam to work closely with clients, trades and professional consultants alike, and he enjoys the thrill of planning projects to minute detail. This attention to detail is evident in his work ,and his reputation in the Canterbury and Wa¯naka region speaks for itself.

With a further development of 13 lifestyle villas in Wa¯naka on the horizon for SMBC, this is one building company that is sure to be going places.