An unusual u-shaped layout and modern kiwiana beach

New build | Tauranga
Home | Location
Style u-turn
An unusual u-shaped layout and modern kiwiana beach-house
style give a builder’s own home in Tauranga a fresh feel.
Words Soraya Nicholas
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Photography Amanda Aitken
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Home | Location
New build | Tauranga
“I like how the square form
separates the two skewed
wings, and how the staggered
boardwalk leads you in, then
pleasantly surprises you as
the home opens out to its
private backyard.” — Troy Dolman
HAVING A POINT OF DIFFERENCE
was the only non-negotiable design
rule Johnny and Michelle Calley
insisted on for their home.
And they’re pleased they took some
risks, says Johnny. “We really wanted
our home to stand o ut from the crowd
and be different. We had a standard
section in a subdivision, but we didn’t
want to add to the brick and tile mecca
of houses that often populate suburbs
full of new homes.”
Wanting the home to be a showpiece
for their own building business, the
couple sometimes wondered if
the design concept was a little
risky, but now it is finished, it is the
aesthetically different aspects that
appeal to them the most.
The home has a dynamic indooroutdoor flow that reflects what they
describe as a “modern kiwiana” beachhouse style, and the U-shape allows
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the house to have an unusual flow,
with a hallway on an outside wall
rather than extending through the
middle of the dwelling.
The sleeping and utility areas
have been placed well away from the
living spaces, which they’ve found
works well with a young family.
When the couple arrived back in
New Zealand after five years working
in London, they were keen to set up
a building company in Tauranga.
Detail
ABOVE LEFT A timber boardwalk
is surrounded by low flaxes, and
offers contrast to the Resene
‘Pitch Black’ stained cedar feature
cladding. ABOVE RIGHT Exposed
concrete aggregate floors
throughout the living areas are cool
underfoot over summer and easy
to keep clean. RIGHT The layout is
refreshingly different. OPPOSITE
Large decks increase the home’s
living areas for indoor-outdoor flow.
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New build | Tauranga
Home | Location
Scullery
Kitchen
Dining
Deck
Living
Deck
Foyer
Deck
Laundry
Bed
Garage
Bed
Bed
Bed
WR
Bath
ABOVE LEFT The home’s media centre is beneath the television, hidden behind
black glass that opens when pushed. A David Trubridge feature light takes centre
stage in the lounge. ABOVE RIGHT Johnny and Michelle relax in the kitchen,
along with son Zac (one). LEFT The master bedroom ensuite and walk-in-robe are
positioned behind a wall.
Having operated one on a smaller
scale overseas, they envisaged crafting
stunning homes with a difference.
“We always knew this was going to
be our own home, but to start with we
opened it as a show home so we could
illustrate the type of house we could
build,” says Johnny.
“We only had it open for two months,
and during that time we had more than
1,000 people through the door, so it was
definitely popular!”
The house, designed by local
architectural firm Creative Space, is rarely
used as a show home now, and they are
now enjoying it as a private residence.
With 18-month-old son Zac and
another baby on the way, the house is a
relaxed family space that is even better in
real life than it looked on paper.
From designer Troy Dolman's point
of view, the entrance is one of the
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home's most unique features. “I like
how the square form separates the two
skewed wings, and how the staggered
boardwalk leads you in, then pleasantly
surprises you as the home opens out to
its private backyard.”
Other favourite design features include
the split layout — the living wing, the
sleeping wing and the lawn in between —
which makes for a fun and easy home.
The kitchen is one of Michelle’s
favourite rooms, and like the rest of
the house, it has been designed with
practical family living in mind.
“The kitchen is slightly different,
because it doesn’t face the dining table
or living area, but it works so well. It’s
positioned toward the opening doors
instead, and it’s one of our favourite
rooms in the house,” says Johnny.
A Silestone engineered stone bench
is the main design feature, paired with
ABOVE Every room opens to the outdoors,
creating a light, breezy and relaxed flow.
Due to the style of the soffits, the doors can
be left open even when it’s raining. right
Michelle and Johnny’s ensuite bathroom
features dual Michel César vanities and a
luxury Methven Tahi satinjet shower slide.
black Melteca in a wood-grain finish for
the lower joinery, and a white high-gloss
lacquer for higher cabinetry out of reach
of children.
Johnny and Michelle eat at the
breakfast bar every day, with Zac
pushed up to the bench in his highchair,
reserving the dining table for nights
when they entertain.
Now the hard work is over, the family is
enjoying all the features of the home and
they’re delighted they were brave enough to
take some risks in its design. •
Architectural Design Creative Space, 07 543 3030,
www.creativespace.co.nz Builder Calley Building,
07 543 4052, www.calleybuilding.co.nz
• The
specs
New build
$400,000 - $500,000
240 Sq m
1
4
2
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