Designed by Young + Richards and built by QBS IT, this Orakei, Auckland masterpiece was a finalist in the 2025 Home of the Year awards and won the Reader’s Choice award.
In an enclave in an East Auckland suburb, a home with a remarkable geometric plaster facade takes centre stage. From the street, the home looks like a series of flawless shapes arranged up the slope at dynamic angles but its geometric simplicity belies the complexity of the design, which is revealed as the building unfolds.
The architecture features an interplay of light, shadow and movement, leading the visitor through the building via a journey of tall and narrow stairwells that reflect light through the cedar fins onto glass, casting interesting, ever-changing geometrical shadows against the crisp textured plaster surfaces that are complimented by cedar and volcanic stone.
The secret to this perfect play of light and geometry is in the immaculate plaster-finished cladding detailing, executed by Mark Freeman, Sharp Exteriors with Resene Construction Systems.
“The home has a minimalist material palette featuring almost entirely the INTEGRA lightweight concrete facade system, with some cedar and stonework,” shares Resene Construction Systems’ Mike Olds. “Working with the design and the INTEGRA system, we were able to achieve clean sharp lines and detailing within a very complex structure.”
The irregular angles and asymmetry of the design meant cladding and finishing required high attention to detail.
The INTEGRA aac lightweight concrete façade system is known for its high performance, ability to reduce external noise and exceptional fire ratings. It’s also BRANZ appraised, which means it’s easy to specify and will stand the test of time.
Every detail of the system is designed to endure and protect from the elements, from the complete flashing suite through to the choice of genuine Rockcote textures and Resene paints.
“The composite lamina of hand-applied coatings are reinforced with fibreglass to provide a complete impact and crack-resistant finish,” shares Mike. “It’s a complete system, which includes flashings through to textures and paints.”
Integrating the INTEGRA lightweight concrete system with cedar cladding under the overhang required precision and a perfectionist approach.
The irregular triangle design of the outdoor fireplace showcases the beauty of the crisp plaster finish.
The cladding detailing in the tall stairwells was another challenging moment for the installation team.
For this project, the angular architectural detailing demanded an extraordinary level of precision.
To support this level of precision and integrity of the finish, the INTEGRA system can only be installed by registered LBP contractors licensed to install Resene Construction Systems products and services.
“Our registered plastering professionals are crucial to achieving such a high level of finish,” says Mike. “Details like the cladding beneath the overhang of the stairwell and exterior walkway, as well as the intricate triangular shapes of the outdoor fireplace, presented real challenges in ensuring perfection.”
The interface between timber and plaster-finished surfaces was perfectly executed to create a minimalist look and strong geometrical aesthetic.
The shadows from the cedar fins are beautifully reflected by the glass and as shadows on the plaster surfaces, creating a constant play of light and shadow.
The sculptural street frontage belies the complexity and size of the home.
Another notable feature of the INTEGRA system is its low-maintenance nature. It’s highly resistant to marking and it doesn’t require repainting for at least a decade, unlike other claddings in the market.
Recently, this stunning home, designed by Young + Richards and built by QBS IT, was named a finalist in the 2025 Home of the Year awards and won the Reader’s Choice award, solidifying its status as a truly exceptional architectural achievement.
