Built to last

Built to replace an earthquake damaged property the homeowners had lived in for many years, this new design maximises the site with increased light, privacy and connection to outdoor spaces. Daniel Webb, architectural designer and director of Threefold Architecture says: “The homeowners’ lifestyle is relaxed and centred around the kitchen and living areas and a strong connection to the garden. The design was about refining what already worked and responded more clearly to their routines.”

The brief was for a single-storey home that felt light, open with two bedrooms and generous living spaces. Simplicity and flow were central to the design approach. The house is deliberately wide rather than tall, giving it a strong horizontal presence and allowing spaces to connect naturally. It turns away from the street for privacy, while opening up to the north to capture light and outdoor living.

When the homeowners asked Daniel to recommend a builder, he suggested his brother Jeremy Webb, director of JWW Construct. This sibling duo of designer and builder always enjoy the opportunity to work together. Daniel says: “We can be open and honest with each other, which allows design ideas and construction input to feed into the process early rather than being treated as separate stages.”

Builder Jeremy says: “While the family relationship opened the door, it was really the shared expectations around quality, communication and how the project would be run that confirmed the fit. Everyone was aligned on wanting a well-built home delivered with care and clarity.”

Reflecting on the influences behind his and brother Jeremys’ complementary career choices, Daniel says: “We both grew up interested in how things are put together. We took different paths, one into architecture and the other into construction – but the shared interest has always been in problem solving, materials and making things that last. Those different perspectives now complement each other well on site. Having a builder involved early meant decisions were grounded in buildability and cost from the outset, which gave the clients confidence.”

Jeremy says: “There’s a level of trust and honesty that comes naturally and it means conversations can be direct and solutions-focused.”

From the street, the home is intentionally quiet, comprised of a low, horizontal form with a calm exterior palette, including Vi-Block Dart Brick in a natural finish. The bricks were cut down to achieve a slimmer profile. The result is a refined, contemporary aesthetic that really defines the home. Jeremy says: “The response has been so strong that the homeowners still have people knocking on the door asking where the bricks came from.”

The Vi-Block also made a strong impression on Daniel: “The Vi-Block cladding was a notable innovation on this project. At the time, the manufacturer hadn’t produced a brick in this longer, thinner profile. The result worked so well that it has since become a popular option for Viblock. It’s a material I liked enough to use in my own recently completed home.” Elsewhere on the exterior James Hardie Linea Oblique cladding in Resene Flaxpod has been matched with T-Rib Colorsteel Endura roofing from Metalcraft and the window and door joinery.

The subdued interior palette features crisp white walls and Hurfords Genuine Oak engineered timber flooring along with Bremworth Kensho Insight carpet, providing warmth and durability through the main living areas.

The north-facing centrally located kitchen serves as the organisational core of the house, visually connected to the main living spaces and outdoor area. “The kitchen by Trends Kitchens is a standout and the owners’ furniture and styling have finished the home beautifully. The way the kitchen connects all three living areas works exceptionally well and really reinforces it as the heart of the home.

The ability to close off the TV room with a double cavity sliding door adds another layer of flexibility,” says Jeremy. The home uses a fully ducted heat pump system throughout and the gas fireplace is a feature element in the living space with electrical work completed by Axion Electrical.

“Having a close working relationship between designer and builder, combined with engaged and trusting clients, made the process genuinely enjoyable. That collaboration is reflected in the quality of the finished home,” says Jeremy.

Daniel says: “The homeowners were instrumental in the success of the home — they trusted the process, were engaged in decisions, and embraced collaboration from the outset. That level of trust allowed ideas to develop naturally and confidently and it made the entire process genuinely enjoyable. It was a rewarding project to be part of from start to finish.”

The homeowners love the indoor–outdoor connection and the way the home captures sun throughout the day. Their new home feels warm, relaxed and easy to live in, exactly as intended.

Contact details:

JWW Construct
027 228 8466
jeremy@jwwconstruct.co.nz
www.jwwconstruct.co.nz