Nickie & Martin Dickie
The Dickie family bought this piece of paradise in Whanarua Bay on the East Cape with a vision to create a holiday home for their growing family.
Surrounded by native bush in a remote coastal setting, timber was a natural choice both inside and out. It reflects the owners’ love of trees while allowing the house to sit comfortably within its environment.
Crisp white walls and ceilings are balanced by cedar joinery and oak flooring, giving the interior a relaxed, timeless character.
The extensive use of timber demanded precision throughout the build. Handcrafted elements include the bathroom, windows and doors, along with detailed timberwork across the ceilings.
Unique Features
Built 300 kilometers from Taupo with no cell phone coverage meant planning was paramount. Building materials including backfill and concrete had to travel long distances to get to site – detailed planning and research was done to find local suppliers and keep costs down.
Trees that were removed for the build were milled and used in the kitchen. Due to the length of time required for the drying process a temporary kitchen was installed.
To give the ceilings a textured finish they were installed using the reverse side facing out. Joins have been covered using rough sawn battens.
Bathroom joinery has been handcrafted to ensure the same quality and use of natural products was followed through to every aspect of the house.
External cladding and all doors and windows are cedar.
Interior walls have been painted for a fresh appearance - they are a combination of Shadowclad Pine and Okumu Plywood. Extra large freeze boards have been used to give the house a timeless look and feel.
Oak flooring has been used throughout the house. It was oiled to look as natural as possible and natural knots in the wood were left relatively untouched to maintain a natural look.
Being built near a fault line meant that 78 piles, with an average depth of 2.7 meters, was required for GeoTech requirements.
Lights were placed on a nearby giant Pohutukawa to highlight the surroundings at night.
The Craftsmen lived on site Monday-Friday only returning home for the weekends in Taupo with their families.
Testimonial
Richard’s and his team are very professional and they have the ability to make a project enjoyable! Every challenge is discussed and thoughtfully resolved. Richard built our beach house which is four hours drive away from his family. Not being on-site meant that we had to have full trust in his decision making and work ethic. We couldn’t be happier with the result.
Project Summary
Location: Whanarua Bay, East Cape
Materials: Local native timber, Shadowclad Pine and Okumu Plywood
