NZ Homes » Marchburn Country Lodge, Central Otago

 

Marchburn Country Lodge sits at the base of North Rough Ridge and faces north across the Ida Valley. Exterior materials match the rocky landscape so the building is successfully absorbed into its environment. This NZHome was built to not only be a home, but also a business. The owners designed the home around providing luxurious accommodation for cycle riders on the Central Otago Rail Trail.

 

Who

Graeme (62) and Donna(61) Male. Innkeepers on site at Marchburn Country Lodge. Donna also works as an international air hostess.

 

 

The Aim

To create a unique luxury travellers lodge imbued with the character of the high country sheep station  of Central Otago.

 

 

The Project

A 160sqm 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home.

The Plans

 

 

The Cost

$350,000

The Section

The section is adjacent to Otago Rail Traill with spectacular views of the Hawkdun Range and along Ida Valley. We discovered it after bumping into a real estate agent at a social gathering. It was the solitary section available in the Ida Valley suitable for business.

The land is a flat 2 acre sheep paddock at the base of North Rough Ridge with extensive valley floor space to the north across to the mountain ranges and big sky to which every room is oriented.

The location allowed us to achieve a build with picture windows from every room to a framed view of mountain ranges. And with each window always facing north, the sun travelled in an arc across each view whether winter or summer.

 

The Design

I designed the house myself (Graeme). Why me? This would be the culmination of much design work I had accomplished as a builder, landscaper and fine artist (oil painting). 

The design is based on my business plan (accommodating guests), and was then determined by the site and it's views. The theme was for a building with picture windows from every space.

Breen Construction in Alexandra drew up my ideas into working drawings. It was a relaxed and helpful process.

 

 

The Inspiration

The design inspiration was a culmination of previous personal experiences as a builder, landscaper and fine artist. The landscape inspired the exterior materials and picture windows.

 

 

The Build

The building process was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.

I interviewed 5 building companies. Breen Construction of Alexandra eclipsed other companies because of their intimate knowledge of building solutions tailored to the harsh local environment. Breen are also a 3rd generation family company with well worked processes accomplished over the period of 3 generations. That experience was apparent from the first meeting.

The build took place in 2013 over a period of 3-4 months.

 

Special Features

- Brick cladding

- Heating through window orientation into every possible room

- Contemporary rustic local materials for a timelessness feel

- Hand made stone fireplace surround, and stone patio

 

 

Staying on Track

The Breen project manager was a total professional. He approached me for decision choices well in advance of the time needed for that choice to be applied or built.

 

 

Obstacles to Overcome

My biggest challenge was actually making my selection of fittings within the time required by the contractors.

 

What we Love

Everything from the overall idea of picture windows to the smallest detail of light switch choices. We love that it clearly expresses our single idea of what we were wanting guests to experience during their stay.

 

Tips for Build me. Readers

-  Distill all yours thoughts, ideas and imaginations to a SINGLE idea or theme. Then accomplish that to the highest level according to your ability and budget. Aim to create a "single idea clearly expressed".

- Get the best  builders

 

 

 

Recommended Contractors

 

Design and Build Company: Breen Construction

Electrician: Aotea Electrical

Window & Door Joinery: Aitken Joinery

 

Photos by Michaela Cox