Māpua living made easy

A Richmond family made their dream move to Māpua, with a stunning, light-filled home designed by Barton Architecture and built by ACM Builders, blending coastal charm with family-focused functionality.

Māpua has been a drawcard for a local couple and their family who originally lived in Richmond but have always enjoyed frequent visits to the area. “We used to come out here all the time with our children and one day just said to each other, ‘Why don’t we move here?’”

They purchased a section in a new development close to Māpua School, which their children attend, and enjoy all the benefits of a vibrant coastal village right on their doorstep.

Designed by Carleton Barton of Barton Architecture, the house utilises the 740m2 section and features four roomy bedrooms, abundant outdoor living space, excellent storage and a large, user-friendly garage. It is a perfect example of functionality, where the needs of a family are blended with excellent design.

The clients wanted a family home that maximised natural light and had an easy indoor-outdoor flow, says Carleton. “It was their dream location, so we wanted to create a design that celebrated the relaxed vibe of Māpua while being open and airy and a place to really relax.”

Being on the south side of the street, placement of the house on the site was critical so as to take full advantage of the sun. This resulted in the main outdoor living areas being at the front and the garage to the rear. An inground swimming pool and exceptional barbecue and entertaining area, complete with fixed pergola, extend directly out from the lounge, dining and kitchen areas.

Although this faces onto the street, it is enclosed by a block wall, which, while not originally part of the plan, ended up providing the bonus of protection from strong breezes, adding an extra degree of comfort throughout the year. The result is a serene and private retreat that is extremely low maintenance.

The home was built by the couple’s long-term friend, builder Andrew Martin from ACM Builders. “It was a really nice house to build,” he says. “I felt a bit more pressure than normal though because they were friends,” he laughs. His several decades of building experience and attention to detail, however, have brought their vision perfectly into being.

The main entrance is impressive and welcoming, with a substantial timber door and expansive window that leads the eye in to the beautiful cedar timber panelling on the wall to the left.

Carleton’s design includes a vaulted ceiling in the front part of the home, giving it a feeling of spaciousness and filling it with light. Up a staircase off the entrance is a loft-style room where music can be played and the family can enjoy the sauna that has been installed there. “The cladding, which includes cedar panels, adds to the coastal, natural feel,” says Carleton.

A priority for the design was to have the bedrooms separated from the living areas, providing a distinct contrast between the socialising areas and the more private spaces.

The house is surprisingly large, with the bedrooms going off a hallway that leads down to the laundry and outdoor children’s play area. The children also have a designated lounge where they can play or watch TV.

The kitchen, designed by Courtney Bailey of Custom Space, has a contemporary aesthetic that is easy to maintain and offers abundant storage, complete with scullery behind.

The central island is clad in Genia timber, constructed from White Oak in individual tongue-and-groove strips – a design created in conjunction with Custom Space. A range of profiles are available and this one, named Anatori, represents the rugged beauty of the South Island’s West Coast. It curves seamlessly, the finish echoing the timber veneer floors and cupboards.

The placement of the fridge next to the scullery is particularly pleasing, it recedes into the background, not dominating the space.

One of the special aspects of this home is the way that the materials have been chosen to create cohesion throughout. The Supreme Oak veneer used in shelving in the scullery is also to be found in the laundry and on the bathroom vanities.

Another feature that carries this theme is the solid timber fins to the side of the lounge. “Timber of this length is often challenging to work with because it needs to be perfectly straight to provide the required impact,” says Andrew. Perfection here has certainly been achieved and the wood glows with warmth, providing another distinctive design statement.

A comfortable temperature is maintained throughout by a ducted heat pump with dual controllers, one to manage the temperature in the living areas and the other, the bedroom zones. Skylights throughout flood the interior with light, making the home feel bright and airy, even on overcast days.

No need to worry about toilet queues in this house, thanks to three toilets, including a family bathroom and an ensuite.

The large garage can be used for a range of activities. Lined with plywood featuring negative detailing, it has been painted in a light tone which is so appealing, it’s a place you want to spend time in.

“It was great to work with Andrew, he’s a top-notch builder,” says Carleton. Everyone involved in the project agrees that it was a pleasure to work on, and the result is an exceptional family home that is practical, visually stunning, and built to a very high standard.