Beachside beauty

Drive north from Auckland toward Orewa and you'll pass through Red Beach, once a sleepy community of retirees and baches, dotted along a pristine strip of sand at the start of Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

But lately, big things have been happening in Red Beach. Like the rest of the Hibiscus Coast, the area has seen intensive development as the city spreads north. New subdivisions are springing up and the quaint kiwi baches that once lined the beach are giving way to Takapuna-esque mansions.

Over the last 14 months, one new house in particular has attracted more than its share of curiosity. It’s not just the size - the house occupies two adjoining beachfront sections - what makes this home unique is that unlike its concrete and glass contemporaries, the design takes the traditional elements of the classic kiwi beach house and reinterprets them into a modern classic.

Designed by Trevor Wilson of Orewa practice, ARCreate, the 1,000 m2 three level, eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom home is imposing in its scale, but it projects a relaxed and rambling aesthetic that makes it feel less imposing. Arranged around a central, north facing pool, multiple living areas open onto the beach while bedroom wings extend left and right, framed by stone chimneys.

Built using Maglok DragonBoard flooring, the house is constructed with embossed tilt panel concrete panels and J Frame framing. Large aluminium sliders open onto the open ocean. The plan makes the most of the site and panoramic ocean views, while the outdoor spaces provide shelter from sea breezes.

There were still a couple of months left to go when we caught up with builder Marty Hyland to talk about the build. Set back from the beach with a wide expanse of deck and lawn framing an ancient pohutukawa, the house nestles into the site like an established part of the landscape.

Hibiscus Coast local, Marty knows a thing or two about high-end houses. For 25 years he’s been building some of the most admired homes on the coast. So, when a local family commissioned him to build their sprawling new holiday home in Red Beach, Marty worked closely with architect, Trevor Wilson and Bunnings Silverdale to bring their vision to life. When Trade Issue caught up with Marty, the final work was being completed on the house. All it needed to complete the picture was a few tents on the lawn and a swingball game.

So Marty, it’s been a big project for you. How long has the construction process taken?
The actual construction started in April last year, but I came onboard for the planning stage, probably about 6 months before.

Is this the biggest house you’ve built?
I’ve built some big homes, but this would definitely be one of the bigger projects I’ve been involved with.

You recently built your own beachside home. Did that give you any insights for this job?
I’ve actually built a couple of my own places now. While the principles are the same, there’s obviously more logistics involved in a larger build, but I try to build every house as if I’m going to be living in it.

What was the inspiration for the size and the design?
Well, this really is a family home, designed for a large, extended family. The owners wanted it to have a quality feel and improve with age, like a home does. With the two sites, there’s room for everyone to have their own space.

How many people were employed to work on the project?
We had three carpenters, plus a 3rd year and 1st year apprentice. Trevor Wilson did the design work and there was one structural engineer involved.

That seems like a small team for a build of this size.
The whole project has gone really smoothly and that really just comes down to planning, organisation and teamwork.

How important was it to have a trade supplier like Bunnings involved?
Working with a big supplier like Bunnings means I know when stuff is going to be delivered, well ahead of time. Bunnings also has access to a lot of innovative products that aren’t always in the warehouse and if you need something they’ll go out of their way to source stuff for you.

Can you tell us about some of the products used in the build?
We used Mammoth insulation which is a partly recycled New Zealand made product that is great at helping improve a property’s Homestar rating.
We used Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for all the wall frames, floors and roof trusses. For a home like this, accuracy and quality are key, so all the structural timber is laminated which means it won’t warp or twist. I know every length is straight and stable and it’s easier to work with.
We used Accoya weatherboards because they are really stable which is vital in a coastal location and you can paint them dark colours without them warping. MagRoc SIPS was used for the foundations and walls, again because it’s great when you’re dealing with large dimensions. It’s a fibre reinforced cement board with a rigid foam insulation that can be used to construct floors, walls and roofs. It’s perfect for coastal areas as it’s resistant to salt and water.

What are the key requirements you have of your suppliers when tackling a project of this size?
The key one is making sure they’re on time and stay in communication with me. It comes down to trust. I’ve been working with Bunnings for 25 years and I know I can always trust them.

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