Signature Homes Canterbury, Hampton Grange
|
When Kerry and David Magill began planning their Signature Homes showhome at the exclusive Hampton Grange development in Harewood, Christchurch, they had the same, simple aim they carry into every property they build. “It had to measure up to our own high standards in every way,” says David. “I wouldn't build a home for one of our clients that I wouldn't happily live in myself. After all, when everything's said and done, you have to be able to look the person in the eye.” Clearly, Kerry and David's aim was true. The exterior of the showhome, which opened to the public only very recently, is an eye-catching mix of James Hardie's 135mm Linea® Weatherboards and Titan® Facade Panel. This is definitely not a house that will ever go without its fair share of attention. “We settled on the Linea first, mainly for its lovely, sharp shadow lines,” says Kerry Magill. “It may be a modern, high-tech product but it looks as timeless as the timber weatherboards we've all grown up with, without any of the maintenance issues. We even used it to clad the chimney. We chose the smooth texture of the Titan panels simply as a way of introducing a bit of contrast. The combined effect makes the whole outside of the house interesting from every angle.” This use of a combination of low maintenance cladding materials is becoming a distinctive feature of contemporary New Zealand architecture. Titan panels for example have, in the past, been used primarily in commercial building applications. Increasingly though, products like Titan are finding a home within the residential environment. Set on a site of just over 1000m2, the home occupies a prime corner location within the development. Signature Homes Canterbury has been behind a number of showhomes in the past few years at a similar estate nearby. “We built some quite traditional homes there, all of which were beautifully appointed and very well received, but this time we wanted to push the boundaries and create something with a real ‘wow' factor,” says Kerry. “Everyone who has been here so far seems to think we've achieved exactly that.” Visitors enter the house via a paved walkway from the footpath and past the Linea-clad 3-car garage, a feature that's becoming more common with so many multi-car households these days. Once inside, the home presents as a light, pleasingly contemporary living space with all the creature comforts you would expect. One of the first aspects to take the eye is the amazingly high ceiling stud – 3.5 metres in the open-plan living areas and 2.7 metres elsewhere in the house. In company with the expansive, double-glazed and green-tinted Riteview windows, it creates an incredibly warm and welcoming ambience that immediately puts you at ease. Beyond the communal spaces, quality inclusions abound. With 4-5 large bedrooms, one of which could perhaps be designated as a study, two bathrooms, including an en suite in the main bedroom, and a well-considered designer kitchen, it has everything any member of a growing family could ask for in a home. Chief amongst these is the large, sheltered outdoor entertaining area with its requisite 10 metre x 4 metre heated pool - undoubtedly the location for many a happy gathering. David Magill couldn't be more confident about the appeal of the finished showhome. “People can walk in and see the high standards of workmanship we offer and everything that's part of the total Signature Homes package. Our last showhome was so popular that we ended up building five similar ones for clients.” Of course, with a philosophy that promises “Your Home. Your Way.”, you can have any home you choose with Signature – a carbon copy, a subtle twist or a made-to-measure design. One thing you can be sure will never be subject to change, however, is Signature Homes' unrelenting commitment to quality. Lately, David Magill has noticed a marked upswing in business to reputable building companies like Signature Homes. With the new, more stringent Building Act now coming into place, it seems the days of fly-by-night building operations are clearly numbered. “We build in a healthy amount of reassurance into every home we're involved with,” he says. “That means using the best materials, offering a fixed price contract, guaranteeing a completion date and backing all that up with a no hidden costs guarantee. It all pays off in the end. There are no nasty surprises and we complete the job with very happy clients.” Read more articles related to this story...
Read other related articles...
|
Log in or Register to submit your comments about this showhome.
