HIA 2022
Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Custom Built Home- $1 mil- $2 mil
Largs
This custom designed acreage style home focuses on the beauty of the surroundings, with the architecture responding in an elemental and linear way that frames the beautiful Hunter Valley views outwards. Communicating a robust and honest approach through materiality and form, our Largs project elevates the traditional country home experience with heightened detailing and refinement.
Welcome Home
Situated in the Hunter Valley Region, this 4 bedroom home designed by Torren Bell Building Design features ensuites to all bedrooms, a powder room, mudroom, music room and pool. Opening generously to the expansive country surrounds of the home, large glazed apertures and openings invite a visual connection to the landscape. The contemporary nature of the home sits in contrast to the environment, yet a natural and textually diverse materiality and palette ensure an anchoring to context and the site.
The Client Brief
The client’s were wanting to move from Clarence Town to be closer to town for their daughter. As they were horse lovers it was also important for them to find a block that was large enough for them to bring their horses with them. Once they found the block in Largs they consulted the architect and began searching for a builder. As the client’s had previously built it was important for them to find a builder that they could trust to deliver their beautiful new home just as they envisioned. Shortly after meeting with us and determining that we were the right fit we began to collaborate with the architect to bring their modern/ contemporary home with an industrial element to life.
We chose P&D Kay for their local knowledge and boutique approach. Peter, Deb, Alex, Harry and the entire team were always friendly, helpful and supportive allowing us to put together a unique and cohesive finished product. We are very happy with our new home and would recommend P&D Kay to anyone looking to build their new home in the Maitland area.
Country Living
The Largs residence acts as a viewing point for its natural setting and takes cues from the scenes of which it frames. The external colour palette is dominated by dark hues that accentuate the home amongst the vast greenness. An organic collage of layered textures such as the Blackbutt lining boards also adorn the hallway ceiling, stunning Krause bricks and render play in both scale and finish to create visual interest down to the finest detail. This is further complemented by the Klip-Lok 700 Hi- Strength roof sheeting in Monument.
Upon entertaining the home visitors are wow’d by the feature glass walls and angular glass panels that allow for the sun to come through and heat up the Italian terrazzo floor which runs the length of the 40m saw tooth hallway with underfloor heating. Blackbutt lining boards also adorn the hallway ceiling creating a sense of warmth as soon as you step inside. The hallway then leads out into the open plan living, dining and kitchen which overlooks extensive farmland back to East Maitland via the alfresco, a favourite entertaining space for the client’s.
The kitchen in the centre of the home features a butlers pantry with large Velux skylights above the kitchen island inviting a flood of natural light into the space. Stepping out onto the alfresco you are met with silver travertine paving consistent across all of the external decks, verandah and patio areas adding a beautiful layer of texture to the design.
Tying to this emphasis on landscape and the views surrounding the home is the material selection. Referencing the natural environment the hero of the home is undoubtedly the Blackbutt timber used throughout. This is complemented by a similarly natural palette internally with black industrial features tying in the interior and exterior. This concept is given further emphasis thanks to the Rylock windows and Velux skylights; with almost all glazing in the home opening right up to create natural cross-ventilation.
The home is further broken down into more intimate zones for retreat which includes the 4 bedrooms, all with their own ensuites with underfloor heating and then open gathering zones for the family to gather and entertain. One of the stand out features in this zone is the 3m aluminum cavity floor to ceiling sliding door which took great skill to build and install but stands as a talking point within the home’s design. In the entertaining zones you will also find a music room with a grand piano and bar that overlooks the farmland, a source of musical inspiration for the owners. The exterior is also complemented by a large 4 car garage.
Sustainability
Sustainability and longevity was important to the clients with a number of key passive thermal principles incorporated into the home’s design. Taking into consideration the location, we used double glazed Rylock windows and added additional insulation to ensure the home remained warm in the cooler months. In contrast to this, overhanging eaves and double glazed windows heat proofed the home to give protection against the warmer months. There is also a large underground water tank for sustainability.
Project Challenges
With every build there were challenges that demanded elegant solutions, especially when it comes to bringing the architect’s vision to life as there can often be a disconnect between design and construction. One of the design challenges that we overcame was the incorporation of the 3m aluminum sliding door, due to the size and weight, having it totally concealed to create a larger living space when needed.
As the home was also built during Covid there were supply issues in obtaining materials. Many of the smaller supply chains used were operating on minimal staff and transport and distribution were at times standing still. We made sure we were planning and storing materials much further in advance than previous builds. This gave us flexibility to be able to negotiate prices, accommodate delays and have materials on site when needed.
The project was a result of a collaborative approach between the clients, architect Torren Bell and P&D Kay Constructions. Every conversation and decision centered around how we could make things the very best for our clients. The supportive and unified attitude everyone had towards the project created an outstanding home.
