Rooted in heritage, designed for now

When Shane Collins and her husband Richard Loe decided to build their dream home, they were looking for something a little bit different. Having both Shane and Richard come from farming families, and this being their first time they have built a home, they wanted to make sure it really reflected some of their experiences and background. Shane says working with the Director of BCS Construction, Brad Shotter, and his team is really what made a huge difference for them. “We were always involved, which is what we wanted, and that made us part of the process, rather than someone just looking on, which we really liked and enjoyed.”

Together, the couple and BCS Construction were able to create this modern farmhouse paired with an eccentric twist. 

One of the design elements that stands out to Shane is their entrance way, which “reflects the wool shed type approach, where you come in, and the detail that BCS and Brad put into bringing that really key feature alive; I think that is really special.”

Brad Shotter, from BCS Construction, also added that the ‘wool-shed’ door, designed by the architect, was a standout for him. “Eurotech manufactured the custom ‘wool-shed like’ sliding garage door, as well as the study screen and entry door, with the running gear locally manufactured. These items took a fair bit of coordination between several trades, and once installed, some minor adjustments and these too, looked brilliant.”

Brad says that building a home of this calibre is the ultimate goal for him and his team. “High-end finishes, materials, and in a stunning location.” He adds that with this came challenges, such as being on a hillside, for one, so they had to think about how they were going to overcome access issues to get the desired result. “This takes a lot of forward thinking and engaging with the right people at the right time.”

The entrance is a testament to the owner’s roots, both having grown up on sheep farms, they wanted to integrate that into their home. Shane says that “although homes are only buildings, they often reflect the people. And I think for us, this reflects us.”

Brad says another standout element, which was introduced halfway through the build, was the addition of a fourteen square meter kwila deck that extended out from the main living area. “Once the main structure of the house was standing, we all realised it would be a great space to be able to utilise. This required shifting the glass balustrade out and overcoming some engineering issues, but was completed well by the team and to have the desired satisfaction of the clients.” Also added was an aluminium Louvre with a pivot system on the main deck area, which was installed by LouvreTec and splayed on one side to follow the line of the deck.

Shane and Richard loved the idea of mixing grounded, natural hard finishes with bold, expressive soft furnishings, says Candice Van Dyk from Mooi Design, who worked on this build as the interior designer. She notes that they kept the permanent elements – such as the flooring, cabinetry, and fixtures – while also injecting personality through a playful clash of colours, patterns, and textures in the soft furnishings. “The result is a space that feels both grounded and vibrant.”

Looking back on the project, Shane says there is nothing they would do differently, but “I think we just know a lot more about the process and what the expectations should be when you are working with the building industry.”

Candice found that working on this project alongside BSC Construction and Shane and Richard, was extremely rewarding, as “the clients brought an amazing sense of individuality to the project. It’s a home that tells their story, and we’re proud to have helped bring it to life.”

The clients wanted Macrocarpa slates to be installed as the ceiling linings in some of the main spaces. “Getting the timing right to work in with other trades and not have the Macrocarpa covered in dust was a challenge that our team navigated around nicely,” Brad says.

Brad added that at the start of the build, they did not know these clients at all, but throughout the build, they got to know them well. “Gaining a good trust between the client and builders is key to a successful build.”

“It is great to finish a project of this scale to the standard we have. I’m proud of our team and what we have produced.”

Contact details:

BCS Construction
027 4769 900
info@bcsconstruction.co.nz
www.bcsconstruction.co.nz