At Home
Hillside masterpiece Words: Adrienne Matthews LUKE MARSHALL IMAGES
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hen builder Steve Marshall spied a site in Vista Heights, Bishopdale with stunning views of Tasman Bay, he knew he wanted to create a masterpiece of a home on it. He and his firm’s project manager Lilly Minnich, with outstanding input and design from Bespoke Architecture, developed a concept that was high spec contemporary, celebrating the views while offering a warm and inviting living space. The house sold off the plans before a sod was turned. Antonieta and Ron van Moorsel had been flying back and forth from Wellington searching for a home in Nelson for months. “It really was our last go,” says Ron, “and a very lucky find by Antonieta indeed.” Difficult sites do not faze Steve Marshall and with many years of experience in building behind him, the complexities involved in the engineering required here were a challenge he approached with his usual calm and measured demeanour. “It was a very technical build,” he says, “but well worth it to achieve the final result.”
The house is built on a Cupolex foundation, an Italian designed system of a series of domes made from environmentally friendly recycled materials that provide strong reinforcement in the foundation. Saving time and money it is almost zero waste and provides excellent insulation. “Insulation is so important to the comfort of a home,” says Steve. “We insulated all the internal walls too. Homeowners love it because of the extra soundproofing and thermal mass it provides.” The floor is a real feature throughout the house. The owners were able to have substantial input into the interior and Ron was determined to have a timber floor. The result is high quality engineered oak that sets the tone for the warm feel of the home. It was laid by Lilly’s husband Gottfried Minnich, who in addition to being the quantity surveyor and business developer for Marshall Builders, is a skilled support to the building team when needed. A secret door to the scullery, a substantial and very user-friendly space, is a fun feature and the owners love the sensor lights that automatically switch on whenever they enter.
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