Twice is nicer

A Canterbury couple find that building with David Reid Homes a second time is a breeze

WHEN OTHERS WERE struggling to define a home on this wedge-shaped, south-facing section in the Highsted Residential subdivision a 20-minute drive north-west of the Christchurch CBD, Steve and Barbara Parr thought, ‘Why not?’ and plunged right in.

Barb, who is a sales manager for the development, and Steve, whose family business supplied furniture for commercial interiors, were confident that, with the right team around them, they could come up with a plan.

Having already built with David Reid Homes in 2017, they made an assured choice to sign up with the company for a second helping.

The pair prefer a minimal aesthetic and enjoy exploring modern design trends. “We always liked the idea of a monopitch roof,” says Steve. “And, with our background in commercial furniture, we have an eye for detail.”

Nevertheless, a sharp focus on detail didn’t change the facts: due to the orientation of the section, the customary layout, with outdoor living out back, would need to be flipped on its head. This one-off plan, designed by Hierarchy Group, locates the long pavilionstyle dwelling close to the southern boundary and pushes the al fresco entertaining north-west to face the street. Another wing, comprising the garage and master suite, projects at right angles, forming an L-shaped footprint which wraps around this decked courtyard. While the house effectively has no back garden, the 789-sqm site maximises sun and sociability. “This is a quiet cul-de-sac and the way we have designed the front wall means we still have privacy,” says Barb.

Once this big-picture concept was nailed, it was time to get down to the nitty gritty. Rigorous structural steel was required for the front portals of the home: the glazed front that speaks to the courtyard. “With the prevailing nor’wester, I didn’t want any creaking or groaning,” says Steve. Banks of sliding doors stack up for ease of access F to the outdoors and clerestories tuck in under the roof to usher in maximum light and high sky views.

Designwise, Barb took charge in the culinary department, working alongside Finesse Joinery to map out the kitchen. “We had a black kitchen in our previous home, and it used to mark so easily,” she says. “This time we wanted white and a design that had no handles, with doors and drawers that you just push to open.”

The couple also came prepared with measurements for every stick of furniture and all the art, including one very special ‘sculpture’: a replica of a Marc Marquez Honda Repsol MotoGP bike that was earmarked as a showstopper in the entranceway. “I’d have two motorbikes inside if Barb would let me,” says Steve.

With sufficient wall space for their collection and proportions precisely defined to accommodate existing pieces, the stage was set for construction to begin. David Reid Homes Canterbury franchisee Carl Fordyce directed every scene with seamless pragmatism. “We started the build just as all the shortages were happening but, apart from having to wait two extra weeks for some framing timber, it was plain sailing,” says Barb. For his part, Steve enjoyed being on site to make quick decisions when required and was itching to be as hands-on as possible. “The team did let me help sweep up at the end of the day,” he jokes.

Such a close working relationship has drawn rewards. Striking but simple, the house sports white-brick and plaster cladding on the main pavilion, offset by charcoaltoned vertical board on the garage block. Punchy contrasts and a skillion roof make a clearly contemporary statement within a neighbourhood where gables reign.

Inside, the light, white mood has a Scandinavian bent and thoughtful design has delivered a pared-back canvas with nothing to jar the attention. Airconditioning is ducted so no obtrusive heat-pumps puncture the walls, F the TV is secreted away in a separate media room and, in the kitchen, integrated appliances (including a door that disguises the oven) and a scullery tucked in behind keep the look sharp and clean.

Anchored by whitewashed floors, the open-plan spaces embrace a cool calmness, but there are zones of textural warmth. The surround of the woodburning fireplace in the living area is cloaked in white brick that wraps around from the exterior, and patterned metallic Dekton adds a painterly touch to the kitchen splashback and above a dedicated drinks station and wine fridge.

Within the pristine palette, colour is not anathemain fact it’s at the heart of the art, popping some vibrant personality into the scheme. And it goes without saying that the Parrs’ furniture, including two stand-out white-leather sofas, fits into their new home like a glove.

The same can be said of the couple themselves. This is a lifestyle they have rather quickly warmed to. Steve and

Barb are easy entertainers and the house acts as co-host, inviting a natural flow to the deck where there’s enough room for a full lounge and dining area to echo the ones indoors. Low-maintenance landscaping means there’s no grass to mow, and the couple don’t miss it. Over two summers they’ve already adapted to having weekends completely free of the tasks of garden upkeep.

Instead of pulling up weeds, they plant seeds of friendship, making full use of their street-facing, sunny living rooms. When they’re not welcoming visitors, once every three weeks or so, they take off in the caravan. There’s a sense of freedom that comes with owning new.

Being content in the here and now doesn’t mean they don’t dream. They seem to have been bitten by the building bug. “We enjoyed the process,” says Steve. “And it wasn’t particularly stressful,” adds Barb. Should a nice section come up, they’ve already worked out what they’ll do in their next house. P

Stress less & streamline

Steve and Barbara Parr had such a positive building journey, they’d do it again in a heartbeat. Here’s how to achieve a lowpressure project:

• A design-and-build company takes on all the responsibility for delivering your home on time and on budget. There’s no passing the buck if something goes wrong. Choose one that aligns with your values.

• Contractors that an established building company brings on board (project after project) are likely to be reliable and deliver workmanship that supports their standards.

• Let the experts do their job. Listen with an open mind to any advice and, if you still plan on following a different path, know that it may cost more.

• Get as much detail as possible locked in before the build. The costs of this dwelling came in at 20 per cent above the quote but mainly due to additions the owners required and finishes as specified by their interior designer.

• Make yourself available. No matter how refined the plan, things happen in the day to day. A quick decision from you can save time and money.