A Sun-Filled Country Retreat in Swannanoa
Phil’s Story:
Designed for Comfort, Built with Confidence
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of North Canterbury, this stunning timber-clad home was designed to make the most of its sun-drenched location. Our client came to us with a detailed concept, and alongside our architect, we transformed it into a working design that balanced style, functionality, and budget.
As an experienced handyman, our client had a hands-on vision from the start—he planned to personally complete many finishing touches, including the impressive wraparound decking. His proactive approach, combined with our expertise, resulted in a beautifully crafted home that meets all the needs of modern country living.
As a high-spec home with a clear six-month build target, efficiency and teamwork were key. A well-coordinated trio—Phil (Client), Rob (Builder), and Scott (Project Manager)—ensured a smooth process from start to finish.
Building a home involves an estimated 300,000 moving parts, any of which can cause delays. But thanks to Phil’s experience and attention to detail, he was always prepared and proactive. This level of organization helped keep the project running smoothly, finishing just two weeks past the target due to a minor council delay.
Bringing the vision to life:
Design: Maximising Natural Light and Space
Inspired by our client’s vision, we drew on proven design elements from our Nikau plan to create a home that feels warm, spacious, and perfectly suited to its setting.
✔ Passive Solar Design: High-positioned windows flood the interior with natural light, capturing the warmth of the North Canterbury sun for year-round energy efficiency.
✔ Spacious and Functional Layout: At 190m², the home makes exceptional use of space, featuring three large bedrooms, a generous master ensuite with a walk-in wardrobe, a second ensuite, and an additional WC.
✔ Airy, Open Feel: Pitched ceilings throughout enhance the sense of space, making every room feel light and inviting.
The final result is a home that feels effortlessly connected to its rural surroundings, blending practicality with timeless design.
The Final Result: A home that feels effortlessly connected to its rural surroundings, blending practicality with timeless design.
“One of the biggest factors in making this such a smooth build was the consistency of the team. The same Project Manager and Builder worked with us throughout—this built strong relationships and meant they developed a deep understanding of the project. That’s a huge advantage over companies where personnel keep changing.”
– Phil, Swannanoa
The Project Gallery:
Words from the Client:
“We spoke to a few building companies but weren’t reassured by vague responses when it came to budget. We’ve built before, so we know how quickly costs can spiral without accurate costings. Fraemohs stood out because they were fast and precise with pricing—it gave us the confidence we were looking for.
Another big plus was their experience building in areas like Hanmer and Castle Hill, which have similar foundation requirements to our site. We had a specific vision and wanted to handle certain aspects ourselves—something other companies seemed hesitant about. But with Fraemohs, nothing was ever a problem. They were flexible, solutions-focused, and easy to work with.”
“In the end, the build came in within budget, and we couldn’t be happier. We’d highly recommend Fraemohs to anyone looking to build—we love our home.”
— Phil, Swannanoa
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