Above and beyond

Standing at the island bench of this handsome Wānaka home is an immersive experience: the elevated site and wraparound glazing give the kitchen a control-cabin view of the mountains that is both immediate and expansive. 

Builder Chris Hayes of Hayes Built knows better than anyone the labour it took to capture this feeling: the structural steelwork that allowed such a generous open-span space; the intricate craftmanship required to ease the cedar window joinery into place. 

The owners put complete faith in the team to deliver this two-storey, 236-square-metre family home, down to the smallest details. “We built everything apart from the window joinery,” says Chris. And he means it. Whereas others rely on pre-made timber framing, the Hayes Built crew do that themselves. They also made some fitted furniture and even took on the responsibility of landscaping. “We had a vision for that, and the owners trusted us. We put down the lawn and did the planting, too.”  

From the grandest design moves to the tiniest tweaks, Chris and his subtrades were on hand to make it happen. About 1500 concrete blocks were laid for the garage and basement area, and a 7.5-metre concrete beam, slotted into place with a Hiab, was installed to help support some of the 30 tonnes of stonework encasing the lower level – a striking aspect that anchors the home in the Otago region. “The stone comes from Poolburn quarry,” explains Chris. “We went for the Amisfield look and our stonemason chipped away for a fair bit to get the perfect look.” 

The gentle-gable dwelling, clad in schist alongside vertical and horizontal Abodo, has a rustic-modern aesthetic. Downstairs, Hayes Built crafted a set of four bunk-beds for fun sleepovers, and there’s a laundry and double garage. 

Upstairs, where there are three more bedrooms separated from the living by an Abodo barn-style door that the team crafted, the floorplan reaches out to the lakeside panorama. To complement the oak floors, Chris suggested tongue-and-groove ceilings and feature walls to lend texture to the surfaces. A six-metre bench seat that stretches beneath the windows has a panelled front to keep it in character. And when the family wanted another spot to lounge next to the wood-burner, the plans for the cubicle shelving were adapted to suit. 

Clever design and exacting workmanship combine in a house but don’t distract from the landscape, which takes the starring role. The owners, who occasionally enjoy beers with Chris on the deck looking north-west to Treble Cone, are naturally over the moon. They’re already dreaming of their next project together. 

Location: Wānaka | Otago

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