Showhomes > Family home of the future

Family home of the future

This stunning family home has been built at the Schnapper Rock Estate on Auckland's North Shore by Mitchell Homes in conjunction with Construction Marketing Services, Carters and the Registered Master Builders Federation.

It utilises many of today's premium building products, including James Hardie Linea® Weatherboard and Monotek® Sheet, eco-friendly materials, and state of the art systems such as underfloor heating, double glazing, and superventilation systems that are becoming increasingly popular in today's forward-looking family homes.

But this is no sterile showcase. Unlike most showhomes built primarily for display, this home exudes warmth and a welcoming ambiance . Step inside and it's easy to imagine you and your family living here. With four bedrooms, three generous living spaces and wonderful outdoor entertaining areas, this is a home designed and equipped for the reality of family living today and into the future.

Brent Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Homes explains what they set out to achieve.

“We wanted to build a showhome that was a little different – outside and inside – that would inspire people and help them to visualise what could be achieved in their own family homes. We could have gone with a more traditional design, but the feedback we've had so far is that people love the contemporary look and feel of this home.”

“The quality of exterior cladding is obviously very important to people buying new homes today, so it was important to use building materials and methods that ensured that peace of mind, but still provided a very contemporary look. The house is clad in a combination of James Hardie Linea Weatherboard and Monotek Sheet. The combination works really well, with the shadowlines and interest of the Linea weatherboards contrasting with the flat textured surfaces of the Monotek," says Brent.

“Linea ensures low maintenance because it doesn't shrink or swell in New Zealand's changeable weather. The Monotek System has been given a Wattyl Granosite textured coating and installed on a cavity system."

The house has a seven year Master Builder guarantee on all the materials used. The Registered Master Builder's Federation and Construction Marketing Services have worked closely with Mitchell Homes to create this home as part of the Tomorrow's Showhomes Programme.

Construction Marketing Services (CMS) Managing Director, Lester Haycock, says that the home addresses all of the demands that are placed on today's homes including energy efficiency, space management, quality assurance and resource responsibility. CMS's role in the project was to bring together the best of today's building products in a well-designed home that would give the public the opportunity to view these products in situ.

The house impresses on many different levels – particularly in its attention to detail and the thought that has gone into creating a home that provides for flexible living spaces as the family grows. With children living at home longer these days, the need for multiple living and studying spaces has become more important. Upstairs, a third smaller living space could be configured as a children's lounge, a study area, a fifth bedroom, or an adults-only space.

Downstairs, the large open plan living, kitchen and dining area create a central hub that provides a space that brings the family together for meal preparation, casual dining, homework and play. Of course there are times when the last thing a family wants is to all be occupying the same living space! The second living wing provides for separation of activities, and family sanity with the large lounge, fireplace and formal dining area creating another focus.

Colour has been used sparingly, but dramatically throughout the house, with feature panels of colour in the lounge, living room and upstairs bedrooms, which create simple, yet very effective contrasts against the white walls.

Visit the Mitchell Homes Showhome at 13 Kittiwake Drive, off Schnapper rock Road, North Harbour every day from 11am to 4pm, or to order the book detailing all the products in the home phone 0800 267 777.