Occupying a semi–rural site in Mangawhai, this 400sqm, five–bedroom builder’s own home is a clever study in luxury and liveability. Lying between the bush line and Mangawhai Heads, the property is the home of Nic and Serina Foster of NF Construction, an architectural construction and development company focused on crafting high end architectural homes in the northern region.
It comes as no surprise that the residence was awarded Gold and won the Regional Category for Builder’s Own Home in Master Builders House of the Year Awards 2022, such is the attention to detail and statement in style at every touch point. The seventh project design that the pair designed and built themselves, Nic says they share a passion for “trying to push the boundaries of what we can do, and we had never completed a two level home in Mangawhai – or a build with a 45 degree roof pitch”.
The process began with the construction of a much smaller, to scale replica that now sits behind the home and serves as an office, testing what the roof in particular could withstand in terms of weight. Nic and Serina are ex–Aucklanders, and since the move to Mangawhai have hosted lots of family members and friends over the summer months keen to enjoy a slice of the beachside community’s fantastic lifestyle. With that in mind, the home was designed for entertaining, with polished concrete floors at ground level “so we didn’t have to keep telling people to take their shoes off,” says Nic.
There are also two guests bedrooms on this level, one with four bunks and the other boasting a good sized queen bed, while a rumpus room and laundry–meets–mud room are included with free ranging kids in mind. Upstairs are two more kid–friendly rooms for Nic and Serina’s son and daughter, andthe seriously enviable, sprawling master suite, which was inspired by the space and level of luxury usually found in a six star hotel. A dressing room and open plan ensuite wrap around the bedroom, while a Juliet balcony and lounge add to the perfect adults– only space in which to relax.
Velux skylights can be completely opened up for light and cleaning, just one of many design features that come with added functionality. “My wife and I both live and breathe architecture,” says Nic, and this home, surrounded by mature native bush with just birdsong as the soundtrack, is a true testament to that passion.