Butler + Osman

Designer:                     Tony Biesiek – Imagine Building Design Interiors:                      Tony Biesiek/Casey Plummer – Imagine Building Design Builder:                        Clelands Construction Kitchen/Joinery:         Carl Lewis Structural:                   Red Jacket Landscape Design:    Blue Marble Photography:               Kallan MacLeod Site area:                     1045m2 Floor area:                   507m2 Project Description: This family home on a rare central, double site provides a sanctuary and retreat as well as a vessel to entertain.  Key client comments early on were for a contemporary, bold Modernist style with outdoor living and swimming pool integrated into the design.  Exterior material palette was to include precast concrete, vertical cedar, and ACM panel. Outdoor living & entertaining was a high priority so easy access between indoor and outdoor spaces was essential as was ensuring adequate sun was available at different times of the day to the patios and the pool. An outdoor living room which contained a full outdoor kitchen and integrated refrigeration was a must have. A high level of finish throughout the home was expected of the design. From the street through to the smallest interior details, it all mattered! The home was to focus on the kitchen in the centre and the other spaces were to radiate out from it both outwards and upwards. As the owner of a wood fire company it was imperative that the design showcased their product both indoors and out. The fire installations would be used in their promotional material. With two older children and one pre-schooler the arrangement of bedrooms was key. The older children have their own wing including a guest room / rumpus space that can be closed off when not occupied. The pre-schooler nearer the master suite on the upper level. Storage is abundant throughout via joinery, storerooms, and the large three car garage. Design Features and Creative Solution: With such a large home the key problem to solve was the spatial planning and relationship of spaces to one another as well as the rear yard and sunlight. Once the kitchen location was resolved the others could be rationalised: garage/laundry to the south, living spaces north and east, older children’s wing to the north and onto the yard, master suite upstairs access both sun and distant sea views. The vertical connection via the open steel, glass and timber stairs is complemented by the large double height kitchen and entry voids. High levels of insulation including a full perimeter insulated floor slab along with thermally broken, low-e + argon aluminium glazing lift the buildings energy efficiency. Interior: A high level of finish throughout the home was expected of the design. From built-in joinery through to the smallest interior details such as tiled skirtings, it all mattered! Even elements such as the gib linings above the kitchen finishing in the same plane as the kitchen joinery, separated by a negative gap. Precision mattered on this project. The home was to focus on the kitchen in the centre and the other spaces were to radiate out from it both outwards and upwards. Material choices were to focus on quality and premium products to ensure that nothing felt cheap or rushed. With two older children and one pre-schooler the arrangement of bedrooms was key. The older children have their own wing including a guest room / rumpus space that can be closed off when not occupied. The pre-schooler nearer the master suite on the upper level. Storage is abundant throughout via joinery, storerooms, and the large three car garage. With such a large home the key problem to solve was the spatial planning and relationship of spaces to one another as well as the rear yard and sunlight. Once the kitchen location was resolved the others could be rationalised: garage/laundry to the south, living spaces north and east, older children’s wing to the north and onto the yard, master suite upstairs accessing both sun and distant sea views. The vertical connection via the open steel, glass and timber stairs is complemented by the large double height kitchen and entry voids, these voids separated by a glass floor bridge. The double height spaces allow a wonderful play of light that changes through the day and through the seasons. The upper level master suite contains a large bedroom, en-suite, and generous bespoke dressing room. Also, on this level is a study and across the glass bridge the is the bedroom and bathroom suite for the youngest child. Control 4 home automation features throughout with programmes for lighting, roller blinds, garage doors and front gate. The home automation manages the interior environment which has a hydronic underfloor heating system as the primary heating. To achieve the high level of finish every element was detailed and/or specified. No sum allowances we used on this project thus ensuring all details were fully considered. All joinery including the bathrooms is bespoke. The master dressing room and kitchen receive the same level of attention giving a high-quality finish to the space.