Beneath a sculptural copper roof that crests and curves like waves is a home that is expansive yet intimate, crisp yet cosy. The clients wanted gezelligheid (the Dutch term for conviviality, friendly, enjoyable and cosy) and that’s precisely what they’ve got. The roof, a complex feat of construction, rests atop a concrete structure with myriad angles that create interest for the owners as they move through the 405sqm home. Following the curved roofline is an expertly crafted ply ceiling, resulting in a deep sense of warmth and intimacy. The warmth is further enhanced by the engineered timber flooring and, more practically, by in-slab heating throughout the ground floor. Expansive curved windows fill the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with light. Multiple living spaces, inside and out, provide plenty of spots to relax and make entertaining a breeze. The practical yet elegant kitchen spills into the dining room and then onto the patio, which is sheltered by another of those astonishing copper waves. This one-of-a-kind outdoor room further links the interior of this special home to the garden and stream beyond.
Photography by Stephen Goodenough & Geoff Trotter.
Products used in
Fendalton
Professionals used in
Fendalton
More projects from
Clive Barrington Construction
About the
Professional
Barrington began his career early; starting with reassembling his cot to his own exacting specifications and smoothing his porridge with a spirit level. His drive for perfection in the building industry saw him on the winner’s podium at the Master Builder of the Year Awards more than was considered decently possible.
Specialising in creating sublime homes across the greater Canterbury region on sites that ranged from the challenging to the outrageously problematic, Barrington continues to push for excellence across the building sector, working in partnership with architects and clients with outstanding result.
A strong investor in the future of construction, Barrington has supported the Apprentice of the Year Awards and been President of the Master Builders Association.
Barrington's contribution to the industry is considered unparalleled in Canterbury and he is appalled, and quite frankly amazed, to find himself dangerously close to being something of a benchmark for younger builders.
When George Bernard Shaw said "nothing is worth doing unless the consequences be serious" Barrington immediately adopted this as his approach to life.
He built seriously good houses, planted a forest so he would always have a supply of seriously good wood and grew his own grapes so there was never a shortage of seriously good wine.
Fortunately he also built himself some seriously strong relationships with every architect in town and a seriously good team (who do their utmost to take him seriously.) From the outset of every project, Barrington is working alongside the architects, designers and clients to make sure what they want is what we deliver. Just better. He’s good at that.
On the days we find Barrington seriously annoying we lock him in his shed and let him play with the timber offcuts. Yes, seriously.
There's nothing random about building excellence. You either deliver on the promise or you don't.
Delivering on the promise has seen Clive Barrington Construction win more national awards than any other building company in New Zealand, including the NZMBA Platinum Award, various NZMBA Category Awards as well as assorted Heritage and Timber Awards.
Clive Barrington Construction takes an enormous amount of pride in its demanding, nit-picking, perfectionist approach to the build. Barrington is now having an indecent amount of fun exercising those same traits in his role as judge for the New Zealand Master Builder Awards.
Clients love us for this. Others... well perhaps not so much.