“If they can draw it, we can build it,” says Scott Thrupp, managing director of high end residential building company Ninety45 Ltd, and he could be right, having crafted this large and technically complex new home in St Heliers, Auckland.
“At the time, it was probably our biggest and most complex project, with lots of detail, lots of different materials, and compounding roof angles,” Scott says. “This type of job doesn’t come up very often and was a great opportunity to test our skills in more ways than one.”
The new home build, completed early 2017, was the first project Ninety45 had done for architect Michael O’Sullivan of Bull O’Sullivan Architecture.
“I hope we do many more together in the years to come,” Scott says, adding the design is a great representation of Michael’s style.
“Michael is a very talented architect with a good sense of space and light. He also understands and is passionate about how people live as a family in the spaces he designs.”
The Brilliant Street house is very much a statement piece on the landscape.
“From the road its angles are the first thing that strike you with the mix of cedar and steel cladding. The site slopes down gently from front to back and the home steps down the slope with five split levels, which wrap around in a U shape with a swimming pool and entertaining area in the middle.”
Ninety45 first got involved in this project during the initial concept stage.
“It is important builders are engaged early in the process so concepts can be costed and value managed if necessary,” Scott says. The design was then developed further and some of the finishes were refined.
“I priced against two other builders and it went my way.” The biggest challenges during construction were all of the angles in the home, and the need for a high level of finish and exacting detail.
“As a builder there is no place to hide when you are doing cedar cladding both interior and exterior. It’s expensive material, throw a few compounding angles in and it leaves little room for error.”
The house is positioned on a large site but used its full width so, planning and phasing of works was a key factor for Scott and his build team.
“Stepping down the slope in five different levels, we had to work our way from the bottom up and try to finish a lot of structure before we closed ourselves in at the top,” Scott says.
The clients are delighted with their new home. “We love building family homes and the Armstrong family were great throughout the entire project.” Scott founded Ninety45 five years ago.
“I’m a third generation builder, qualified construction manager, and have been in the building industry for 18 years.”
Ninety45 is a 15-strong team of craftsmen from apprentices to qualified carpenters, leading hands, foremen, and project managers.
This article was brought to you in association with the following businesses…
