Reach for the sky

This exceptional home is a haven of privacy. The property's sleek design and breathtaking sky views add to what is the height of modern luxury - and to top off its impressive features is a truffle orchard of hundreds of oak trees.

words Jo Ferris | photos Hunter Studios

Situated in the Oropi hills, this serene, minimalist home is surrounded by nature and designed with ultimate privacy and security in mind. Nestled within blissful seclusion at the end of a private road, the property offers gated vehicle entry and a helicopter landing option for increased anonymity.

The home was built by multi-award-winning Shaw Builders and designed to a specific brief. Beautiful in its simplicity, the home disguises the extraordinary complexity behind its creation. It embraces 800m² of understated luxury to combine modern design with meticulous craftmanship.

Floor-to-ceiling windows, all-day sun, and views as far as the eye can see blend to create airy, light-filled spaces. Lush, sub-tropical gardens surround the home to instill tranquility and provide intimacy in various rooms and outdoor settings.

Architectural design wraps this home around a swimming pool with waterfall to create a resort worthy of a tropical escape. Views stretch out to embrace Mauao, Tauranga and offshore islands beyond – a reminder that this stunning setting is a discovery of true surprise.

The interior design features clean, bold lines, negative details and high-end finishes with top-of-the-line appliances. A cosy wood fire in the dining room is perfect for intimate occasions, while the chef’s kitchen and lounge serve as the central hub for gatherings.

Equipped with Crestron home automation, this home provides comfort and privacy with ensuite bedrooms for family and guests, together with a separate apartment for extended family. With its own entry, private patio and personal garage, this suite has also been designed to double as an executive workplace. Completing the home’s forethought for work and leisure, it includes a dedicated gym, office and media hideaway.

Once farmland, this 12-hectare estate has been transformed into a sanctuary for birds and nature playground. Walking and riding trails wind through native bush, with streams and springs. Along with the tropical gardens and grasses embracing the house, specialty plantings throughout the estate reinforce how the micro-climate has rewarded this property’s development. Stands of redwoods, specimens and berries, fruit and nut trees – nature thrives here.

Of particular note is the truffière – 750 specialty oak trees on park-like slopes that add peace, tranquility, and a potential future income.

This unique Oropi retreat combines luxury with natural beauty to highlight how thoughtful design can blend with nature to be at one with the world and offer an unparalleled living experience.

Nga Parae Rd, Oropi

oliverroadbayofplenty.com

Building blocks

If you think concrete is mundane, you’ll need to think again. The Bay’s award-winning builders Gudsell Builders are redefining the artistic possibilities of this overlooked material to create their stunning, acclaimed homes.

words Karl Puschmann | photos Amanda Aitken

Concrete and nature don’t always live in harmony. But Matt Gudsell sees this material completely differently.

He sees the artistic potential and architectural possibility inherent in concrete. As he explains to UNO, his company Gudsell Builders views concrete as a reflective material that’s able to mirror, enhance and blend into the environment it’s used in. Just as long as you have the skills, experience and creativity necessary to do so.

Gudsell Builders has been working with and reimagining the artistic scope of concrete for over four years to award-winning effect. Just last year the company won the Registered Master Builders National House of the Year.

For an example of concrete’s possibilities, Matt highlights the understated elegance of their latest build on Matua’s tree-lined Beach Road. With its stunning waterfront views and sophisticated living, the home is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its attention to detail, natural flow and spacious luxury there’s a calming mindfulness.

“The whole idea of this house was to make it look like a pōhutukawa tree because it's surrounded by them,” Matt says of the desirable property. “This house is all black concrete with a pink and red effect. We’ve aged it to get that ruggedness and create that look of bark on the tree. It’s very complex detail and a real showcase of the work that can be done using this system.”

The effect is striking. But like all things that look effortless, a lot of hard work was required to achieve the desirable result. Not only is it an advanced process, it’s also one that demands experimentation away from the site.

“To get this look we trialled different samples, from the materials used to create the pink and the red effect on the concrete to creating the ruggedness and mixed design of the concrete,” Matt says.

“It took us about five trials to get it right before we poured these walls on this house.”

Then he smiles and adds, “But that's the beauty of concrete. The world is your oyster. Whatever you want concrete to look like, we can do it.”

The results speak for themselves, and the many awards Gudsell Builders have collected over the years. Innovative thinking transforms an otherwise overlooked aspect of a build into a graceful and subtle design feature that reinforces the overall design aesthetic and mood of a home.

Returning to this Beach Road home, Matt’s idea was that it would feel like a batch - albeit a luxurious one - that blends in and complements the surrounding pōhutukawas and its seaside environment. This thoughtful design philosophy extends into the home’s interior which has been lovingly crafted in timber with an artisan’s eye for detail to create an ambience of warmth and refinement.

“In my mind, I couldn't be bothered building if I didn't care about the end finish of it,” Matt says. “It's going to be done right the first time, to the highest level of detail and to the highest standards.”

While concrete is not usually considered a glamorous material, Gudsell Builders is challenging that perception as people begin to get their heads around its architectural potential.

“I've got examples I can show people,” Matt laughs when asked if he’s had to sell people on the idea of using concrete as an artistic element of a build. “Once they see examples of what we can do, that convinces them to go ahead. But you have to show them.”

The other benefit of concrete is its unparalleled longevity and hassle-free maintenance.

“It's not going to rot or fall down. It's going to be there for a hundred years. That's what gives people who are looking to build a nice architectural home peace of mind. They’re not going to have to get up and stain the cedar every two years, it’s not going to twist. It's permanent.”

While the process Matt and his team of 15 use to create these desirable results is a trade secret, he does reveal that after experimenting to get the final look, the actual pour is relatively quick.

“We've invested in our own infrastructure. It makes the speed of construction a lot faster. We can also consult with engineers and offer advice on formwork placement and finishes for other builders' jobs,” he says, adding that builders can hire out Gudsell's specialist equipment.

With concrete, the sky really is the limit. He’s excited not only by the design possibilities but also by the thought of what ideas clients may bring to the table.

“If you think of anything that you want to do, it's only a matter of playing around with it and trialling stuff to be able to create that artistic effect,” he says.

Then he smiles and says, “If a client comes to us with some out-there design that they want on their concrete, it’s not a problem. We can do it.”

gudsellbuilders.co.nz