This home feature is sponsored by :
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This innovative, attractive and compact coastal home has really caught the eye of home builders in the Tauranga area. In this article, Signature Homes Bay of Plenty Owners Craig & Debbie Williams tell us about the home. PHOTOGRAPHER | AMANDA AITKEN
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Q&A Design & Build BAY OF PLENTY WITH SIGNATURE HOMES BAY OF PLENTY OWNERS CRAIG & DEBBIE WILLIAMS
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Describe the environment in which this showhome is located. › C&DW: The Coast Papamoa Beach subdivision is located at one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches. Papamoa is the largest suburb in the City of Tauranga, and is is renowned for its excellent fishing and surfing. It is one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand, largely due to the growing popularity of coastal communities 104
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along with its proximity to quality facilities and shopping in the Tauranga and Mount Maunganui areas. » SH: Why did you choose to build the showhome in this area? › C&DW: Coast Papamoa Beach selected four builders to join the exclusive 24 hectare coastal development, it’s obviously an outstanding location, and we felt that our involvement with Coast would be a great opportunity to showcase what Signature Homes can offer. » SH: Describe the typical Signature Homes client in your region. › C&DW: Our clients are generally looking for a company that provides them with a superior level of service throughout the entire building process. This includes design, interior design, our unique build process, and even finishing touches like landscaping. Our clients also recognise the reputation we have built over the years for outstanding service to our clients. » SH: Can the specification of your show home (i.e. what is included) be adapted to suit the budget of a client? › C&DW: Our showhome is a great example of a compact design and build for an irregular shaped section. As it wasn’t one of our pre-designed plans, we included some specifications that differed from the specification we normally offer as a starting point to our clients. The showhome specification and inclusions can be altered quickly and easily in order to meet the budget of an interested client.
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ecently, Monier Bricks and Austral Bricks joined forces to form NZ Brick Distributors. While a fairly new company, Signature Homes has a long association with brick, mainly through the Monier brand.
Not only do bricks provide Signature's clients with a beautiful exterior for their new home, bricks are safe and low maintenance, so owners can enjoy living in their homes rather than maintaining them. Since the formation of the new company, Signature Homes and NZ Brick Distributors have formed a strong partnership, and we are focused on providing Signature Homes’ clients with the finest quality brick and stone products. NZ Brick Distributors offer New Zealand’s largest range of bricks. From classic heritage styles to ultramodern monotone products, there is sure to be a brick which will perfectly suit your new Signature home. NZ Brick Distributors also have a strong focus on innovation. With manufacturing facilities located throughout Australasia, a wide range of raw materials are available which provide a variety of colours for brick and stone products. When this natural variance is combined with each factory’s unique production
methods, varying textures and sizes can be produced which further enhance the end-product. These diverse manufacturing facilities allow NZ Brick Distributors to regularly produce new products, allowing their clients to clad their home with truly unique products. In addition, NZ Brick Distributors, through their Austral Bricks brand, offer a range of natural stone cladding options. Well suited to either internal or external features, Designa Schist and Designa Basalt provide the luxury of real stone in the form of a brick. Quickly and cost-effectively installed, these products, which are available in a range of colours, provide a unique aesthetic. Like Signature Homes, NZ Brick Distributors continually research their client's needs. As such, the Designer Series lightweight panel system has recently been introduced. This unique, pre-finished cladding option is available in a range of colours and textures, from smooth to textured finishes. This system is simple to install and requires little maintenance. Utilising a unique clip fixing system, Designer Series is a safe Codemark approved cladding system, which is sure to provide an extremely distinctive look to your new home.
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» SH: What do you think new home buyers need to consider when comparing offers from different building companies? › C&DW: Researching the track record of the building company you are considering is really important because every building company is going to put their best foot forward to try and secure your business. Get to know key team members of the building companies you are considering, and ask to speak to past and current clients. It is a big undertaking to build a new home, and it should be a unique and exciting experience. To ensure it as a good experience, we believe it pays to spend some time evaluating your options to ensure you get the best result you can. » SH: In simple terms, what do you see as the main strengths of the The Signature Homes Comprehensive Guarantee Programme? Complete peace of mind for our clients. They are able to take comfort in the knowledge that their home will be completed as per the contract they have entered into, no matter what. Other building guarantees cannot offer the same assurance as our unique and exclusive guarantee programme, which is independently bonded through the ANZ National Bank. » SH: Has your showhome been well received locally? What have people said about it? › C&DW: We have had excellent feedback. People love the modern, coastal feel it has, the decor, and also the indoor-outdoor flow to the private Alfresco area and fireplace outside. » SH: How long have you been in the building industry? › C&DW: Craig is a qualified builder, and has been in the industry since 1988. » SH: What did you do prior to joining Signature Homes? We established Vogue Homes Ltd in 1996, and built it into one of the Bay of Plenty’s leading home brands, before taking on the Signature Homes franchise for this area in 2007. It was a big decision for us at the time, but it has definitely been worthwhile. » SH: What lead you to make the choice to acquire the licence to build for Signature Homes in your area? › C&DW: Signature Homes actually approached us after receiving good feedback about our company from contacts in the industry. After some consideration, we came to the conclusion that the Signature Homes brand was a great fit for us moving forward - they offered great support, systems and processes, and a number of additional benefits for our clients. We felt Signature Homes could help us get better at what we do, and we also felt we could offer a lot in return to Signature Homes. 108
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» SH: How do you see New Zealand home design evolving in the future? › C&DW: In the Bay of Plenty region, there is still plenty of room to spread out, so we don’t see a huge amount of change with the homes that we are building. The sections that are being made available are trending slightly smaller, so yard space is getting reduced. We think people are looking more for easy-care solutions so they don’t have to spend their weekends looking after gardens etc - they want to get out and enjoy everything the Bay of Plenty has to offer.
» SH: Are New Zealand homes becoming more environmentally friendly? › C&DW: In terms of how the products in homes are produced, definitely. The insulation standards of our homes has lifted, and we are building healthy homes that our clients can really enjoy, which is great. Clients are also considering other environmentally friendly options, but in many cases due to budget constraints the decision as to whether these additional features are included is determined by the impact they have on the cost of the home. » SH: What are the most popular environmentally-friendly options your clients are selecting in homes that you build for them? › C&DW: One of the most popular options is to increase the amount
of insulation in the home, there is really only one chance to do this, and that is while the home is being built. » SH: What do you enjoy most about representing Signature Homes in your region? › C&DW: We feel we have built a great reputation here in the Bay of Plenty, and we have won many awards over the years, including 7 Client Satisfaction Awards. The Client Satisfaction Awards were given to us a result of outstanding survey results from our clients, and as these surveys are independently carried out, we are particularly proud of them. We also have an awesome team of contractors and staff who all take pride in delivering a quality home, which is extremely satisfying for us as the owners of the business. S ISSUE III
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Thinking of Subdividing your property can be a great option – giving you greater lifestyle choices and offering financial rewards. However completing a new subdividing project on your own can be a difficult and time-consuming prospect. That’s why we’ve developed Signature Homes Subdividing Services – a specialist part of our business that’s designed to help you through the entire subdividing process.
How we can help Our role will be to guide you through the process of subdividing your property from start to finish. We’ll explain what needs to be done when, assisting you with the paperwork and consents and keeping everything on track. And because we’re familiar with how the process works, we can facilitate your dealings with councils, engineers, LINZ and other authorities. We’ll also give you peace of mind when it comes to the costs of subdividing. From the outset, we will be able to give you a much better idea of what expenses your project is likely to incur.
We’ve got everything covered One of the major benefits of working with us is that we draw together a team of experienced, reputable professionals In a ‘one-contact’ solution. Your Subdividing Services team will include: • A New Home Consultant • A Planning Consultant • A Land Surveyor • Architectural services • An Engineering Consultant • A Quantity Surveyor • A dedicated Project Manager • And of course, our team of experienced tradespeople
Call us on 0800 SIGNATURE to arrange your free consultation, or visit us online at signaturehomes.co.nz
DESIGN & BUILD | RODNEY
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This home feature is sponsored by :
In this feature, we talk to Finbarr Du Burgess about his Signature Homes Design & Build project, a modern take on the classic Kiwi Villa PHOTOGRAPHER | DANIEL MCGRATH
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › FD: It is very much a rural community, so most of our neighbours are farming people and that is how they earn their income. It is very much a tight-knit rural community. I’ve spent a lot of time in this area in the past, and we were keen to get back out here and build a home here.
Q&A Design & Build RODNEY WITH OWNER FINBARR DU BURGESS
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» SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › FD: The site for the build wasn’t particularly large because we wanted to build on an elevated part of the section, and this meant we ended up having to build the home on top of a ridge. There was a fair amount of excavation required to create a flat platform for building. There was also some engineering work required early on due to the clay soil we have here, and two walls were built that run alongside the home to provide extra support for the building platform. » SH: What is the main purpose of the new home? › FD: It is a family home. I suspect that my partner and I will be here for the duration. Potentially our kids will come back here at some point in time.
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T’S THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE THING YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR COMFORT LEVELS HIGH AND YOUR ENERGY BILLS LOW. When you’re building a new home, insulation is a no-brainer. A warmer, drier, quieter home makes for a happier, healthier family. We should know. We’ve been making New Zealand’s favourite insulation for over 50 years. Building a home from scratch gives you a great opportunity to create your dream indoor environment. A lot of people wisely opt for insulation with higher R-values. The small extra up-front cost versus the long-term saving makes it a smart decision that will pay for itself. Better insulation means warmer, drier and healthier homes that are easier and cheaper to heat. Achieve additional comfort by asking to have acoustic insulation installed in your internal walls between rooms. You can install it everywhere to create a peaceful haven, or use it strategically to give people a sense of personal space – this is very important for high use areas like bathrooms. Here are a few more reasons why Pink® Batts® insulation in your home is a wise decision. We meet many of the highest independently assessed industry standards for health, safety and environmental sustainability, but even with over 50 years experience, we’re not resting on our laurels.
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• Non-combustible - Pink® Batts® insulation will not catch fire or melt easily when exposed to flame, so it’s safer for your home in the event of a fire. • Increased rigidity - The latest generation of Pink® Batts® products are more forgiving to touch, making them even easier to handle and install. They’re also more rigid so they won’t slump behind your wall, and will keep doing a stand up job, year after year. • Internationally certified for indoor air quality - The quality of air in a building has a big impact on the occupant’s health and wellbeing. That’s why we’re proud to have attained both independent M1 and GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality standards. • Glass wool insulation - By weight, glass wool fibres generally perform better than other fibrous insulation and need less weight to achieve the same R-value. • Something for everyone - Pink® Batts® insulation comes in a range of different R-values so it’s easier to get the right product for the right job and the right budget. • Pink® Batts® Lifetime Warranty This warranty serves as a reminder that Pink® Batts® walls and ceiling products, when installed correctly, will provide high quality insulation for the lifetime of a home.
DESIGN & BUILD | RODNEY
» SH: What was the inspiration behind “Potentially our kids will come » SH: Tell us about any unique or unusual the design for your new home, and what back here at some point in time” design features of the home. did you want to achieve with it visually? › FD: One feature that comes to mind is the › FD: We’ve always lived in older style villas recycled Rimu timber floorboards, which a – the last home we owned was a villa in friend of mine suggested to me as an option Epsom, and we’ve always liked the weatherboard look. We felt - these were sourced from Recycled Timbers in Glenfield. The that weatherboards present well visually, and they also perform double gables that face North also give the home it’s own character. well from a weathertightness perspective. » SH: What did you think of the quality of Signature Homes' » SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature's existing designs, workmanship? or was it designed from scratch? › FD: We got a good result. I suspect there are always issues that come up along the way with these larger projects, however the › FD: It was basically a one-off. We gave the Signature Homes designer a spreadsheet with all of the rooms we required and issues we have had have been dealt with to our satisfaction. what size they needed to be. We also indicated roughly where we » SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the aspects wanted the rooms located and what we wanted to put in them. of it that you enjoy the most? They then came back to us with the design. › FD: I’m a bit of a pyromaniac, so I love the fireplace. The fire is » SH: Did you like the design straight away, or did you want quite a large capacity model, and in winter it is all we use to heat to make changes? the home – it’s a fairly impressive piece of machinery, being a › FD: We liked the design and we only ended up making a few wood burner. We love the decks, they get a lot of use and they minor tweaks to it. In hindsight, we might have made the laundry are actually around 220m², so they are quite substantial. We put a little bit bigger. those in because we didn’t really have any flat lawn or outdoor area. They get a lot of use in both summer and winter. We also love the open plan living areas. S
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DESIGN & BUILD | BAY OF PLENTY
This home feature is sponsored by :
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Q&A Design & Build BAY OF PLENTY WITH OWNER NEIL JAMIESON
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › NJ: Our new home is located in Rowesdale, Ohauiti, Tauranga. We chose this area for a number of reasons. The section is elevated and has given us views of both Tauranga Harbour and Mt. Maunganui to the North. We also have views of the Kaimai Ranges to the West and a rural outlook to the South. The Rowesdale subdivision has very workable covenants which while protecting our investment, also provided us the freedom to build the type of house we wanted. One of our main priorities was not to build on low or filled land. Having spent a lot of time living on life style blocks, we also wanted a rural outlook. » SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › NJ: The house is quite large and also had to have garaging for four vehicles, so the section had to be big enough to accommodate the house footprint. Another consideration was to have the house North-facing and to be positioned on the section to take advantage of the sun to fill the rooms with warmth and light wherever possible. The house also was designed with a slight “kink" in the floorplan due to a building restriction line that ran through the rear of the property. » SH: What was the main purpose of the new home? › NJ: The main purpose of the build was to produce a home that would be big enough for a grown-up family to come and stay with us, while not being too big for two people to live in as we get older. » SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › NJ: The inspiration for the new home was really a cross between a Cape Cod style home, and something that could well have been built on the original Rowe farmhouse before the land was developed into a housing subdivision. 124
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» SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature's existing designs, or was it designed from scratch? › NJ: The house was designed from scratch, prior to seeing any Signature designs. Some of the interior fit-out was inspired by a Signature showhome. » SH: What wall cladding was used on your home and why did you choose it? › NJ: The exterior cladding is New Generation Garrison weatherboard. We preferred this product due to the smoother wood finish. It was chosen to fit in with the Farm House/Cape Cod theme. » SH: What did you think of the Signature Homes design service? › NJ: Signature had to convert our design to working drawings. This was done with no problems, and the end result mirrored the design we wanted with a couple of slight changes to the roof hips to meet council requirements. Some small alterations were suggested to us by Signature and incorporated for aesthetic reasons.
The main purpose of the build was to produce a home that would be big enough for a grown-up family to come and stay with us, while not being too big for two people to live in as we get older
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areful attention to detail and a clear vision of the look desired influenced the treatment of windows and doors in the Jamieson house. With the owners aiming for a Colonial/Cape Cod look to the new home it was important that the context for the exterior joinery from Epic Windows & Doors was thought through. Epic are a supplier of the FIRST® brand of windows and doors and the FIRST® Residential products supplied were carefully dressed by Signature Homes Bay of Plenty to achieve a look almost indistinguishable from traditional timber windows and doors. The benefits are obvious – a sympathetic colonial treatment in keeping with the weatherboard home together with the durability and low maintenance of aluminium windows. There’s no call for periodic sanding and repainting. Neil Jamieson said that the Ohauiti house was the first they had built and the desire to get it right was important - durability was key. Generous soffits, flashings and scribers were part of the detailing to ensure weathertightness. WINDOWS FRAMED FOR TIMBER LOOK “We wanted the windows framed with timber,” said Neil. “We also specified opening windows in a number of places where uniformity of look was important. In this way glass sizes were the same. We put attention into the detail.”
The Jamiesons also chose not to use tinted glass for solar control believing that such a look would be out of keeping with the colonial style. Laminated glass was used instead to minimise UV light entry. The window colour was Warm White Pearl Matt powder-coat which was exactly matched with the paint finish of the timber border. This border was comprised of 3-inch facings to the head and jambs, rebated over the aluminium facings. Scribers and a faux timber sill were applied, with the latter extending beyond the timber facings in the traditional timber manner. Flashings were folded at the top.“It’s almost a wooden joinery look,” said Neil. A range of double-glazed FIRST® products were used in the home – awning windows and fixed lights, hinged doors, sliding doors in narrow panels to coordinate with window widths, and a pair of aluminium Latitude entrance doors in Matt Black powder-coat. Similar attention to detail was paid to the architraves on the inside of the windows. These used two-inch colonial profiles. A recent observer of the home also noticed other interesting interior measures – negative detailing lines on horizontal plasterboard joins and radiused corners to the external corners of internal walls - a mix of architectural periods, colonial and contemporary. The windows and doors also used colour-matched hardware.
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» SH: What did you think of the quality of Signature Homes' workmanship? › NJ: Signature was chosen because of the quality of their showhome. They did not disappoint us with the build of our home. We had a budget for the home which we did not want to exceed, and the build needed to be right as we intend to live in the house for a long time. Value for money was definitely a factor for us.
» SH: What is your favourite room in the home? › NJ: For Michele it would be the kitchen and dining room. For me, it is the upstairs living area we have dubbed “The Man Cave”.
» SH:What did you think of Signature Homes overall? › NJ: This is the first new home that we have had built, so we were reliant on the team at Signature to give us the right advice. Signature have a good team and some top sub-contractors that all worked well together. Overall, now that we have been in the home for a year and have looked more closely at other builders product, we are definitely happy we chose Signature.
» SH: Do you have any advice to others that are thinking of building? › NJ: Our main advice to anyone building would be “to do your homework properly” - ask for advice and listen to what people say. You need to know what you want, and what you can afford. If planned correctly, you can build within your budget and have what you want at the end. Visit showhomes and use the internet for ideas. Check your build regularly, and discuss any issues or questions with the Project Manager. It’s easier to rectify any issues sooner rather than later. Always remember that you are building a home, not a house.
» SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the four aspects of it that you enjoy the most? › NJ: This is a hard one. I think definitely the light and temperature - the house stays cool in summer and warm in winter. As we get closer to retirement, the savings on electricity compared to our last house is significant. We have solar hot water, and with strategically placed LED lighting our power bill is half what it was at our last house. We find the large kitchen and dining area is the focal point of the home. Evening meals with the extended family can often turn into marathon card games at the dining room table. The upstairs living area/second family room and deck are a great place to sit on a summers evening with a glass of wine.
» SH: What have your friends and family said about the home? › NJ: Friends and family love the feel and warmth of the house. We've had a lot of comments on the standard of finish.
» SH: Is there anything else you would like to comment on in relation to your new home? › NJ: We have lived in several houses over the past 35 years, and this is the first one we have had built. After having lived in it for almost a year, there is nothing in the design or fit-out that we would change. Everyone we have talked to said that you need to build four or five houses before you get everything right. We could not afford to do this because the section we bought was the only one that ticked all the boxes for size, location and views. If we had to build again we would have had to sacrifice something to get another section. S ISSUE III
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DESIGN & BUILD | BAY OF PLENTY
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › RC: The home has been built on a family farm where I grew up. It is actually on the site of a playhouse my Dad built my sister and I when we were little girls. Our family have been on the farm for 123 years.
Q&A
» SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › RC: The home had to make maximum use of the views, and fit easily into the landscape. These included views of the harbour, the nearby ranges and an olive grove behind the home. Also, because the home overlooks the harbour, council restrictions had to be adhered to.
Design & Build BAY OF PLENTY WITH OWNER ROANNE CRONE
Roanne Crone’s family has ties to the land this new Signature Home sits on that go back generations. In this feature, she tells us what she wanted to achieve, and how it all happened.
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» SH: What is the main purpose of the new home? › RC: We wanted a ‘forever’ home…with a guest wing. The aim was to build a home essentially for a couple, but spacious enough for both Denholm and I to have our own areas. These areas also needed to be adaptable in order to accommodate extra guests when required. » SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › RC: The overall look is in the style of Cape Cod, but with a strong New Zealand interpretation. The intention was not to be a slave to this style, but merely to embody the general principles of the genre. In keeping with the sea and harbour views we aimed for an overall light, airy, casual, seaside feel to both the exterior and interior of the home. We wanted the home to instill a general feeling of ease, fun and of being on holiday.
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arters are proud to have been the supplier of choice to the Signature Homes group since 2002. This partnership has been built on a solid foundation of joint values and professional goals within the Carters/Signature Homes relationship. The Core to Carters vision is our focus and dedication to trade customers. We are more than just a building supply merchant; we’re a partner and a resource for our customers and their individual build projects.
Over time, Carters has also worked with Signature Homes on their pre–de sig ne d pl an range w ith technical support and the use of products such as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). This joint development is open–ended to ensure that Carters maintains the ver y best supply processes and product range at all times, in support of Signature Homes’ building excellence.
Carters’ single-minded approach to our customers’ requirements, and uniformity to our product quality and service has afforded Signature Homes the peace of mind that no matter where they are working, on whatever project, they can rely on the same exacting levels of consistency in quality.
Other complimentary services on offer from Carters are specialist teams of estimators looking for cost–effective solutions, insulation installation, guidance in interior design through our interior design agency Yellow Fox, and joinery components via Bestwood Joinery.
Carrying tens of thousands of individual product lines at any given time, Carters’ procurement and category management teams work hard to secure the best products and prices for our customers on a national level.
The Key to Carters’ success has been their relationship focus across all tiers in the business, and their dedicated knowledgeable staff.
These product lines are constantly updated to ensure that Carters remain the solution provider and the business partner of choice. Solidifying this offering Carters operates 9 state–of–the–art strategically positioned manufacturing plants around New Zealand providing manufactured frame and trusses of
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the highest possible quality, backed by service that’s second to none.
Carters continues to work closely with Signature Homes to provide solutions and innovation for what we supply, both domestically and internationally. Key personnel work closely with the Signature team to pool ideas and knowledge so as to provide the right solution. A s Sig nature Homes’ solution s provider and business partner of choice, Carters looks forward to continuing and enhancing our successful relationship.
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» SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature’s existing designs, or was it designed from scratch? › RC: From scratch. We presented Signature Homes with our selfdrawn design which they then turned into working drawings. Early in the process, we all sat down around a table and tweaked a few aspects of the plan. Whilst providing expert advice and guidance, Signature essentially worked with our design, and they did not attempt to alter it unduly. » SH: What wall cladding was used on your home and why did you choose it? › RC: Elderside cedar. We believe that this was the first time the Signature Homes office we engaged had used this particular product; we were looking for a cladding that offered a wide weatherboard look that would successfully take a dark paint.
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» SH: What did you think of the Signature Homes design service? › RC: Their Architectural Designer was great, and their on-the-spot troubleshooting and advice showed their expertise. I also took up the offer of engaging their Interior Designer, who was fantastic. We clicked instantly, discovering we had similar (if not the same) tastes. She had a wealth of knowledge and knew the right shops to go to and the right people to talk to. Without her energy and support it would have taken me a lot longer to make the correct choices. » SH: Tell us about any unique or unusual design features of the home. › RC: › Full-height sarked roof in the main living area. › A large free-standing wall of windows defining the entrance way from the living area - but not distracting from the view.
› French doors and sash windows in the main living area all 2.2m high to allow more light/view. › Bespoke milled 20cm wide tongue-in-groove panelling to the back of kitchen. › 3m long kitchen island formed around an old apothecary cabinet. › In-floor powerpoints for the lounge area, so that lamp cables etc do not restrict walking areas as they would do if they were plugged into wall sockets. › ‘His and Hers’ bathrooms connected by a 4.5m x 2.0m wardrobe. › 20cm French Oak floorboards throughout the main living area. » SH: What did you think of the quality of Signature Homes’ workmanship? › RC: Wonderful. ISSUE III
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» SH: What did you think of Signature Homes overall? › RC: Wonderful – the supporting legal documents (contracts, insurance, costings etc.) had all aspects of the build covered. » SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the four aspects of it that you enjoy the most? › RC: Light – air – peace – space. It is a serene house to live in. » SH: What is your favourite room in the home? › RC: Our bedroom, it’s so calm and tranquil. Hold on, maybe my ‘Hers’ bathroom. No wait, our 4.5m x 2m wardrobe. No, the main living area. Then there’s the wonderful scullery. Oh gosh - all of them! » SH: What have your friends and family said about the home? › RC: People come to stay - and most sleep all day! » SH: Do you have any advice to others that are thinking of building? › RC: Collect pictures from magazines of homes, furnishings and colours you like – what you collect doesn’t have to be anything in particular, except that you like it. Compile a scrapbook; you will soon see trends developing. I think this is a very good way to start to learn about your own personal style. Write up a ‘wish list’ of everything you think you may want. Even if a lot of those wishes get binned, you will know why. It’s better than never giving them a chance to happen. » SH: Is there anything else you would like to comment on in relation to your new home? › RC: Without exception, the Signature Homes team were professional and skilled people. We were kept well informed throughout the whole build and were never ‘surprised’. Go Signature Homes! S
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DESIGN & BUILD | NELSON
POINT Matt & Caroline Bartholomew wanted their new home to maximise the incredible views from this Nelson hilltop. With help from the team at Signature Homes, they achieved this and more. PHOTOGRAPHER | GRANT STIRLING
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This home feature is sponsored by :
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"We wanted a simple modern looking structure with a mix of claddings and an interesting roofline"
Q&A Design & Build NELSON WITH OWNERS MATT AND CAROLINE BARTHOLOMEW
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › CB: Hilltop suburb with views over Nelson City and The Tasman Sea. » SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › CB: A long narrow area of flat land, a steep bank at the back and front of the section. Maximising the views. » SH: What is the main purpose of the new home? › CB: Family living. » SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › CB: Exterior: A simple modern looking structure with a mix of claddings and an interesting roofline. Interior: A neutral aesthetic,
"We can see the kids playing on the lawn or in their toy room from the kitchen, it really works for our family"
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esene Construction Systems provides ROCKCOTE & PSL advanced construction products, solutions and systems that will stand the test of time.
We understand that correct product selection, design and installation of all exterior facades is critical to every structure's integrity and longevity, which ultimately leads to added value and security to your most important investment. Any product is only as good as it’s application, therefore we only supply to our network of professional LBP qualified plastering companies, whom we consider the best in the industry. To assist in making this all come together, we are the only company committed to providing mandatory OnSite Assistance and project support services to each and every Rockcote & PSL facade system installation. By selecting one of our external plaster facades you achieve a visual impact that enhances the design, and your individual taste. This is all supported with our written 15 year Performance Guarantee, and a 5 year Workmanship Warranty from our selected and qualified LBP Registered Plasterers. The plaster facade shown in this home feature is the Rockcote INTEGRA lightweight concrete facade system. This is a premium weathertight, cavity based exterior facade that offers homeowners a construction material that is BRANZ appraised, and tested for seismic performance. This is becoming a key consideration for homebuilders building post the Canterbury earthquakes. This premium system provides improved impact, acoustic, and thermal performance when compared to similar systems available in the market. To further ensure the integrity and durability of the system, we incorporate the latest organic polymer–modified plaster technology, which is hand applied, creating robust exterior cladding. Our composite exterior plaster finishing system combines our hand–applied reinforced base and levelling plasters, with sealers, textures and versatile finishes, creating a beautiful and durable finish to your project. Low maintenance and versatile, our plaster facade systems feature the premium Rockcote finishing system, which allows it to be pre-coloured in the 'Genuine' Resene colour of your choice. “All of our systems offer homeowners complete peace of mind,” shares Mike Olds, Resene Construction Systems General Manager. “Our Onsite Assistance Programme, professional LBP plasterer installation, combined with Rockcote & Resene technology provides added surety to your project."
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DESIGN & BUILD | NELSON
» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › CB: Hilltop suburb with views over Nelson City and The Tasman Sea.
"It is a lovely open, bright and warm space. The large windows allow all day sun and access to the beautiful views day and night"
» SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › CB: A long narrow area of flat land, a steep bank at the back and front of the section. Maximising the views.
› CB: We added a 2.7 ceiling stud in the kitchen/dining/lounge room to give a more open feel. A built-in study nook in this room, and a toy room off the end of the lounge means we can cook, work and play within the same space. » SH: What did you think of the quality of Signature Homes' workmanship?
› CB: Couldn't fault it.
» SH: What is the main purpose of the new home? › CB: Family living.
» SH: What did you think of Signature Homes overall? › CB: We would recommend them, they made the process easy and enjoyable.
» SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › CB: Exterior: A simple modern looking structure with a mix of claddings and an interesting roofline. Interior: A neutral aesthetic, open plan easy living which maximised the views.
» SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the four aspects of it that you enjoy the most? › CB: Open plan living, orientation of the house to maximise the sun and the beautiful views, the practical & easy layout of the interior and the indoor/outdoor flow.
» SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature's existing designs, or was it designed from scratch? › CB: It drew on elements of existing designs.
» SH: What is your favourite room in the home? › CB: The main living area, kitchen/dining/lounge. It is a lovely open, bright and warm space. The large windows allow all day sun and access to the beautiful views day and night. The stacking windows and doors open out onto the tiered deck offering great indoor/outdoor flow. We can see the kids playing on the lawn or in the toy room from the kitchen, it really works for our family.
» SH: What wall cladding was used on your home and why did you choose it? › CB: Rockcote was used on the main part of the house chosen for the minimal aesthetic, colour and affordability. Corrugated iron was used on the garage to add interest and contrast to the Rockcote. » SH: What did you think of the Signature Homes design service? › CB: The design service was good, we had the opportunity to develop our design alongside the Signature Homes consultants, in our own time. » SH: Tell us about any unique or unusual design features of the home.
» SH: What have your friends and family said about the home? › CB: Everyone is really positive. People often comment on how light and warm the house is but the views are the main talking point. » SH: Do you have any advice to others that are thinking of building? › CB: Know your budget, and make sure you factor in the groundwork and landscaping. S
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WAT17073 ID Design Signature Style_Living Room.indd 1
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More inspiration from Caroma‌ New Zealand bathroomware brand Caroma continues to inspire with the new Urbane collection. Designed with functionality and form in mind, Urbane combines contemporary style with trusted Caroma quality. The range currently features toilet suites and will be joined by matching basins and a freestanding bath in early 2015. caroma.co.nz
Home Alone
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DESIGN & BUILD | BAY OF PLENTY
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Q&A Design & Build BAY OF PLENTY WITH OWNER DAVE RUDD
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › DR: Our home is situated in Bethlehem, Tauranga. Bethlehem is a fairly well populated suburb of Tauranga having grown a lot over the past 5 – 10 years. Situated close to the main causeway into the city, we are a 5 – 10 minute drive to the CBD. Bethlehem has its own shopping centre and is well resourced with schools etc. A popular suburb of Tauranga with a variety of families, and also retirement living.
"We have a lovely entrance with high raked ceilings and large windows"
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» SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › DR: We were fortunate to secure a flat section which is located a little back from the road, and down a lane. The section had established trees, of which we wanted to keep some, as they create a nice setting and view for the homes as you come down the lane. Section size is 850m², and with no residences being built on the west side of the home, we wanted our living facing west to ensure privacy and also maximise the sun.
» SH: What is the main purpose of the new home? › DR: Our original intention in building was to downsize, however with the opportunity the section presented, and after reviewing other homes in the area, it made sense to build a good size family home. Astrid and I are “home alone” now as our daughter has shifted to Auckland, however the home is of good size for entertaining with friends and having visitors come to stay. Long term we see the home as a good investment, as it is a lovely family home offering good indoor and outdoor spaces. » SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › DR: A good friend of ours provided the initial floor plan idea after viewing the section with us. Having been in the building industry he was able to suggest some good ideas in terms of layout and overall design. A Saturday afternoon in the sun with a couple of cold beers also assisted in idea generation, and from there the basic floor plan was developed.
» SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature's existing designs, or was it designed from scratch? › DR: We had looked at some of the Signature plans, however decided to create our own plan from scratch. » SH: What wall cladding was used on your home and why did you choose it? › DR: We have used Garrison Pine Weatherboards on the exterior of the home. We wanted a traditional look with boxed corners and picture framed windows. Reviewing the options available, we felt the product provided the best look. » SH: What did you think of the Signature Homes design service? › DR: We cant speak highly enough of the entire team at Signature. Whilst we had come up with a basic floor plan incorporating our ideas, Signature and their designers took that plan and brought it to life with some unique features. They respected our ideas, and further enhanced these to deliver a design we very quickly became excited about. Their service allowed us full input, and the tools available allowed us to view the design in 3D and bring it to life whilst we were fine–tuning things. ISSUE III
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» SH: Tell us about any unique or unusual design features of the home. › DR: One area Astrid wanted to be special was the entrance. We have a lovely entrance with high raked ceilings and large windows that allow for a view from the front door, through the garden, and into the courtyard. We also have our passageway on the outside wall rather than down the centre of the home. This design was intentional to allow maximum light into the bedrooms, which are on the east side of the home. Large windows on the east side also maximise natural light in the bedrooms throughout the day. In the kitchen, dining & living area, we have a relatively large space, and have gone with a raked ceiling and Tongue & Groove look to provide additional height throughout this area. This provides a more beachy, summery feel in the home. » SH: What did you think of the quality of Signature Homes' workmanship? › DR: Workmanship throughout the build we found to be exceptional. Glen, John and Aaron, our building team, took a lot of personal pride in their work and delivered to us a home we absolutely love. Attention to detail was never an issue. The Signature project management team ensured all work was finished to a high standard, and kept us informed at all times. We can honestly say in respect to our build that we did not encounter the stresses people talk about in building a home. » SH: What did you think of Signature Homes overall? › DR: We had never built a home so this was a big project for us. From first meeting Mike and being taken through the process of design and then construction, we found the entire project to be an enjoyable experience. The entire team have been fantastic to work with and there has been a common commitment from them all to ensure we have been totally satisfied. Any challenges that appeared along the way were communicated and managed professionally and efficiently. Therefore, challenges remained simply as that, and they were overcome without becoming problems. 156
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DESIGN & BUILD | BAY OF PLENTY » SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the four aspects of it that you enjoy the most? › DR: The indoor/outdoor living is great. All of our living area opens onto a deck, increasing that area. The kitchen design is very workable, and with a scullery incorporated into the design there is plenty of storage. We designed the media lounge to be a space for watching a movie, reading a book, or simply being in peaceful relaxing space, and this works well. Over winter, this has been a cosy room to be in on a cold wintery day. Our Master Bedroom is situated in its own wing, and offers our own space away from the remainder of the home » SH: What is your favourite room in the home? › DR: Our favourite area is the main kitchen, dining & living area. We have many friends visiting regularly, and it is an open and relaxing space where we can enjoy drinks, nibbles and a few laughs. With this area also opening up to our deck and outdoor courtyard, we bring the outdoors indoors, and the home feels very open. » SH: What have your friends and family said about the home? › DR: Friends and family have been very complimentary about our home, and comments on the design and quality of finish inside and out have been very positive.
» SH: Do you have any advice to others that are thinking of building? › DR: Our advice would be to take your time at the start of your building process to ensure you get your design correct, to meet the way you and your family like to live. In dealing with Signature, we were never placed in a position where we felt we had to work with a standard plan, or be pressured into making a commitment before we had our design completed. We found the small initial investment to ensure our design was completely developed was of great value, and the remainder of the project flowed smoothly from that through to completion. Enjoy the experience and work with your building team. It is a very cool process to go through, and very exciting the day you receive those keys to your new home. » SH: Is there anything else you would like to comment on in relation to your new home? › DR: We love our home, we and Signature have created an environment that is open and friendly and it complements our lifestyle perfectly. Would we build again in the future? based on the experience we have had, absolutely! S
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DESIGN & BUILD | NORTHLAND
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DESIGN & BUILD | NORTHLAND
Q&A Design & Build NORTHLAND WITH SIGNATURE HOMES NORTHLAND OWNER CRAIG DACKERS
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Describe the environment in which this showhome is located. › CD: It is located in the Marsden Cove development, which is an area that has waterways and access to the Whangarei Harbour. » SH: Why did you choose to build the showhome in this area? › CD: I felt it had some synergies with the Signature Homes brand, in terms of the quality of the development, and I felt Signature Homes could build homes that would sit well in this environment. » SH: Which are the main areas new homes are being constructed in your region? › CD: Definitely this area – the Marsden Point/One Tree Point/ Ruakaka area. We are also now seeing some development occurring in the Whangarei City area, which has been dormant for quite some time. There is a subdivision in Whangarei called Totara Parklands which we are involved with and is going well. 162
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» SH: Describe the typical Signature Homes client in your region. › CD: I don’t think there is a typical Signature Homes client. It’s a broad mix in terms of budget and also the styles of home we are building. I would add that we mainly build homes for local people that they are going to live in, however we are also seeing a resurgence in the holiday home market now that property prices in Auckland are starting to rise again, and people have more capital available for property purchases. » SH: Can the specification of your show home (i.e. what is included) be adapted to suit the budget of a client? › CD: Absolutely. The showhome as it is built has a medium to high level of specification, but the home was actually designed to suit a number of different looks, and these looks can have quite a significant impact on the price of the home, depending on which one is chosen by the client. The showhome as you see it also has quite a contemporary look, and we recognised that
this was not going to suit everyone, so this is the other reason we developed three other artistic impressions of the same floorplan for our clients to consider. » SH: What are the main factors that influence the cost of a home? › CD: The exterior style of the home often has the biggest impact, when given the same specification for the interior. For example, a conventional “brick and tile” home with a hip roof usually is the most cost-effective to build, and from there the more unconventional you get, the bigger the impact will be on the final cost of the home. We do a lot of research and we know that our pricing for materials is competitive with any builder in the country, so when it comes down to it, the price often depends on what the client actually wants to achieve.
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our home is one of the biggest investments in your life. At James Hardie, we develop products that help you create the home you've always wanted. Through our ongoing investment in research and development, you can be sure that you will get the best quality materials available. Aside from their environmental f r iendliness and su stainability, James Hardie products are made in New Zealand to suit our harsh weather conditions. Craig Dackers, Managing Director of Signature Homes Northland, says this about the home in this feature, “The key drivers behind our exterior cladding choice was the added durability of James Hardie Fibre Cement, particularly in a harsh sea spray environment”. “Combined with the lower maintenance against similar cladding products, the use of James Hardie Fibre Cement products really helped to give us peace of mind that the home would showcase our building capabilities long into the future”, Craig says. On the build, Signature Homes Northland used a combination of James Hardie Linea Weatherboard, and James Hardie Titan Panel. At James Hardie we believe such cladding combinations can help
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create a home that is cost-effective, reflecting personal style, whilst maintaining in long term value. With this in mind, we work closely with builders, architects and distributors to make sure our products suit all architectural styles and consumer tastes. Signature Homes Northland set out to create an industrial feel to their show home. The combination of James Hardie Titan panel primarily creates this aesthetic, in conjunction with the smooth, straight lines of James Hardie Linea Weatherboard. The modular look of the window joinery further reinforces the striking presence of the home. James Hardie create durable exterior building materials that last, and that is what our fibre cement technology is all about. They are low maintenance, and are resistance to fire, rot, warping and cracking. This makes James Hardie products ideal for New Zealand’s varied weather conditions. All James Hardie, materials meet ISO Standards, and the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. For further information on the range of James Hardie building products, please do not hesitate to contact your local Signature Homes New Home Consultant.
DESIGN & BUILD | NORTHLAND
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» SH: What do clients need to consider when comparing offers from different building companies? › CD: If I could sum it up in one sentence, the most important thing for a client to consider is what is included in the price – just because another builder may provide a cheaper quote doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to get a home with the same inclusions. Reputation and guarantees are also important considerations. » SH: In simple terms, how does The Signature Homes Comprehensive Guarantee Programme differ from other building guarantees? › CD: Our building guarantees are superior to the others available on the market in a number of different areas, but the main advantage we provide is that if for any reason the local Signature Homes builder is unable to finish your home as per your contract, then Signature Homes as an organisation will step in and make sure the home is completed at no additional cost. This means that the client is fully protected. » SH: Has this showhome been well received locally? › CD: Yes, absolutely. Due to the different options we have provided for the show home in terms of style and budget, it has had a broad appeal in the market.
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DESIGN & BUILD | NORTHLAND
» SH: Do the designs of homes in your region differ from other parts of New Zealand? › CD: Yes. We have a lot of flat land, and our urban sections are generously sized. Also, because Northland is a holiday destination and is close to Auckland, holiday homes are popular. » SH: Was this showhome based on an existing Signature Homes design? › CD: The show home floor plan is based on the Tangaroa, from our Pacific Collection of homes. » SH: How long have you been in the building industry? › CD: Over 25 years now. » SH: How long have you represented Signature Homes in your area? › CD: I acquired the licence to build for Signature Homes over 10 years ago. » SH: Why did you choose to represent Signature Homes in your area? › CD: I was working in the residential building industry in Auckland, and in my role I dealt with many of the large New Zealand builders. From what I could see from the outside looking in, Signature Homes had a very good rapport with their clients, and they also provided their franchise network with excellent support.
» SH: How do you see New Zealand home design evolving in the future? › CD: We are already starting to see people getting a bit smarter with the way they use space in their home. I believe the Global Financial Crisis along with environmental factors has prompted our clients to consider space that is not necessary, and to start making better use of the spaces within their home, rather than just having a big home because they can. » SH: Are New Zealand homes becoming more environmentally friendly? › CD: I think they are, but change is happening quite slowly. Whilst the environmentally friendly options are certainly a ‘nice-to-have’, they also often add cost to a home and therefore some of our clients are not in a position necessarily to be able to afford these extra’s. » SH: What are the most popular environmentally-friendly options your clients are selecting in homes that you build for them? › CD:Energy efficient lighting is a more and more popular option, along with double-glazing - which is not compulsory this far north, and energy–efficent heat pumps. The thermal envelope of the building itself is also an important design consideration. » SH: What do you enjoy most about representing Signature Homes in your region? › CD: I like the fact that we are a brand that represents quality and that generally speaking our clients approach us because they are wanting something special in regards to their new home. S
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DESIGN & BUILD | RODNEY
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Q&A Design & Build RODNEY WITH OWNER GARY ELLIOTT
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» SIGNATURE HOMES: Tell us about the area and community surrounding the home. › GE: In the years leading up to this home being built, we had been looking for somewhere to retire to which was close to Auckland, but removed from the hectic pace of the city. In our search, we happened upon the small community of Point Wells, a rural village with a population of 300. It is close to Omaha beach, Matakana and surrounding districts and only an hour from Auckland. We found a 1600 m² section here with water access that captured our vision for the location of our new home. » SH: What aspects of the section did the design of the new home have to take into account? › GE: It was a flat north facing section with many possibilities. » SH: What was the inspiration behind the design for your new home, and what did you want to achieve with it visually? › GE: We wanted it to keep with the village aspect of the environment, and thought a cottage style home would not only suit our needs, it would fit into the landscape. » SH: Did the home draw on any of Signature's existing designs, or was it designed from scratch? › GE: The home was designed from scratch, using both our ideas and the ideas of the Signature Homes design team. » SH: What wall cladding was used on your home and why did you choose it? › GE: We used Linea weatherboard as the outside cladding because of the look we wanted to achieve. We chose a concrete tile roof because of the proximity to the sea.
» SH: What did you think of the Signature Homes design service? › GE: The Signature design team were excellent in putting our ideas together in a way that achieved all that we wanted, while keeping within our budget. » SH: Tell us about any unique or unusual design features of the home. › GE: We were concerned about the amount of shade we would need to counter the summer sun, so we built into the home various shaded areas. We built a loggia into the northwest corner of the home for outdoor dining that had wider-than-usual eves. We also wanted an open plan living area with a 2.7 m stud to give the interior a greater feeling of space. » SH: What did you think of Signature Homes overall? › GE: In our initial search for a company to build our home, Signature stood out as a company that went of of their way to listen and spend time with us. We have found, in all aspects of the build, they have treated us fairly and with genuine concern in helping us achieve our goals. ISSUE III
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DESIGN & BUILD | RODNEY
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» SH: Now that the home is complete, what are the four aspects of it that you enjoy the most? › GE: The aspects of the home we enjoy the most are that is comes over as a very solid well build house with a homely feel. The character the outside detail has given to our home makes it seem as if it has been here forever. The home is well insulated in the walls and with double glazing it is very easy to heat and any outside noise is blocked out.
» SH: What have your friends and family said about the home? › GE: Our friends and family have commented how lovely and homely the house is, and have been impressed with the overall design. » SH: Is there anything else you would like to comment on in relation to your new home? › GE: We would highly recommend Signature as an option to anyone thinking of building. We are really enjoying our new home and the environment we have chosen. S
» SH: What is your favourite room in the home? › GE: The open plan living area, with its proximity to the outside areas, the scullery/laundry and garage make it very easy living.
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