Distinction in detail: John Garlick Builders
An abode of clever artistic angles, and the talent to execute them, shone at the Registered Master Builder House of the Year 2022 awards.
The amazing Avonside build achieved Overall Winner and Gold, in the Canterbury Regional category for the $2mil to $4mil new homes.
The director of John Garlick Builders, Kade Atkinson, project-managed alongside the company’s original founder.
“It was John’s very last house – and he placed a meticulous eye over it,” says Kade. “It’s pretty unique – a handcrafted masterpiece by craftsman tradesmen. My team of builders, including Simon our foreman and the subcontractors were exceptional. Their attention to detail pulled off the intricate and technically complex geometric elements.”
The brief was for an eco and sustainable home with efficient functioning. Thermally broken windows, and double walls provided extra sound and temperature insulation.
The tight, narrow section for the 282sqm South Architects design meant the majority of work was onsite. The cedar-framed natural and white-painted exterior and Gaboon plywood interior required forward planning to implement the bespoke detailing.
“We had to always be 10 steps ahead,” says Kade.
Constructed onsite were the main sectioned window, sweeping hand-constructed cedar gable, and hand-cut Cedar fins providing structure, aesthetics and privacy.
“Angles are everywhere. The Corian stone kitchen counter represents the home’s artistic geometric shapes of diamonds and points. And the base of the stairwell has become a feature in the bathroom.
“We’ve had many years as the family’s chosen builder. And they had a massive appreciation, towards the end, of the level of detail. It was one of our most technically complex and unique projects – with a huge all-round effort over 18 months by everyone involved. Our expert team and clients’ long-standing history with us, worked so well together. They responded in creating a masterpiece.”
