Case study

You may have been able to anticipate the chic alpine aesthetic of this Wanaka home, but that’s where the expected ends — and your options begin.

You’ve got options.

When is a group housing company house so much more than others of its ilk? When it’s a David Reid Homes home individualised just for you. Offering both pre-designed and custom builds, personalisation is the name of the game for these guys, and at this abode near Lake Wanaka, constructed for the owners of David Reid Homes Wanaka & Central Otago but currently open for viewing as a showhome, they not only used a bespoke floorplan, but also thought outside its boxes.

If understanding people’s unique lifestyles is key to the design of great spaces, this house has it sussed and presents limitless opportunity. Is comfort top of your list? The thermally efficient design has a heat pump, a solar system, windows with low-E glazing, and underfloor heating — extendable into the garage. Or maybe lots of light is your number-one want; here, skylights usher extra in, several of them openable and with auto-closing rain sensors.

If you prefer a minimalist look, you’ll get a kick out of the sensor-controlled hall and cupboard lighting that turns on and off automatically to save power and do away with wall switches. Aotearoa’s answer to Nigella could consider the high points of the kitchen: instant hot water, integrated appliances, and drawers and cupboards that open electrically. Or is bath time your time? The main bathroom in this dwelling teams a luxe free-standing tub and tiled shower with brushed-nickel tapware.

Good to know that whether you opt for a pre-designed or custom David Reid home, it’ll have your mark on it. Emulate this one, or use it as inspiration for your own masterpiece, with or without a view of Treble Cone. davidreidhomes.co.nz