News – 30/11/09
Our favourite timber building — Maraetai house
A beautiful house in a beautiful location. That’s our favourite timber building for this
issue – a new house in Maraetai on the coast south of Auckland. It sits in a prime
location, a stone’s throw from the waters of the Hauraki Gulf.
Designed by Lawrence Roy of LRAD Ltd and built by Paul Dixon of P & L Building Developments Ltd
using Jenkin Tru-Pine for cladding, the timber elements are highlighted by blockwork details.
“I like timber weatherboards,” Paul says. “They’re proven. The house just fits in well with the other houses in the location.”
“You can get a wide range of styles with timber, and I am a believer in the tried and true.”
Paul selected Tru-Pine from PlaceMakers Cook Street. “They always have up-to-date information in their catalogues and if they say a product is good, I tend to take their advice, check with the architect, and then go for it.”
Paul has been building with timber throughout his career, and says the quality of weatherboards has
increased over the years, while the price remains competitive.”
“You don’t really see problems such as resin coming through as you did in the past.”
Lawrence says he is designing using timber cladding almost exclusively these days. “I don’t use
monolithic cladding or fibre-cement products. You can get a wide range of styles with timber, and I am a believer in the tried and true.”
The combination of quality design, quality materials and an outstanding site means this will be a house which will be a loved home for generations of owners who will enjoy both the house and its location.