Is demolishing and rebuilding worthwhile? How a New Zealand family created a welcoming home in remarkably little time

In New Zealand’s housing market, we often see older homes that are difficult to maintain, unsuited to modern living or even crumbling after years of neglect. Have you ever considered demolishing an old house and building a new home that suits you? Some may wonder: is that too much trouble? Is demolishing and rebuilding worthwhile? How long does the whole process take? A family from Dunedin, New Zealand, offers an answer through their own experience.

Demolishing and rebuilding quickly with a range of James Hardie products

 

Dunedin is renowned for its rich history and magnificent scenery. However, some older homes, particularly those that have not been maintained, cannot withstand the city’s strong winds and harsh winters. Upgrading insulation and protection against damp can also be expensive.

 

Hayden Davies and his family live in Dunedin and chose an unusual path. They found a section they liked, occupied by a historic but rather dilapidated timber house that would need extensive maintenance to restore its former glory. Given Dunedin’s strong winds and bitter winters, however, such restoration was impractical. They made a bold decision: demolish the old house completely and build a new home better suited to their family.

 

 

Fortunately, as general manager of Jennian Homes Otago, Hayden had a clear idea of how to approach the challenge. After thorough research and obtaining the necessary planning permission, they demolished the original house, paving the way for their dream home.

 

His team put considerable care and effort into building the new house, creating a comfortable, modern living space with an innovative design that remained in keeping with the neighbourhood’s architecture.

 

 

The section was relatively small, making it challenging to build a spacious family home. Nevertheless, construction began just six months after they bought the property. With a harsh winter ahead and a new baby in the family, they chose to speed up the build.

 

 

To achieve this, the building team used James Hardie’s RAB™ Board, allowing indoor work to proceed effectively through the cold winter without being held up by bad weather. Demolishing and rebuilding can certainly present budget and timing challenges, but careful planning and efficient construction enabled Hayden’s family to complete their home within the expected timeframe.

 

 

The new home has a thoroughly modern exterior, combining James Hardie’s Oblique™ and Stria™ cladding for a striking visual effect. Fine lines and clean detailing enhance the overall architectural design, giving the house a refined, elegant feel.

 

 

Inside, the open-plan layout seamlessly connects the living room, dining area and kitchen, creating a setting suited to family gatherings and entertaining guests. Different areas across the two storeys provide family members of all ages with the spaces they need.

 

Natural light pours through carefully positioned windows, filling the rooms and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements the home’s high-quality finishes and elegant colour palette.

 

Hayden is delighted with the new home:

 

Seeing the children with their own spaces in a warm, dry home, free to be themselves and enjoy family life with us, gives my wife and me an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction.

 

During construction, RAB™ Board successfully withstood strong winds. Since the family moved in, it has continued to keep cold outside air at bay, helping them stay warm and comfortable indoors.

 

Alongside temperature and wind, the family also considered noise. They chose Secura™ Interior Flooring to reduce sound. Hayden said: “Having a relatively quiet floor is a big advantage for us, so we can sit down without hearing the noise of the children upstairs.”

 

For the interior walls and both indoor and outdoor ceilings, Hayden’s family chose Axon™ panels, creating a feature throughout the home and a consistent design style. Hayden said:

 

We wanted to do something special. Axon™ panels gave us the opportunity to add something distinctive to the ceilings without adding too much time or cost to the overall build.

 

 

Throughout this project, Hayden’s family carefully considered their needs and comfort, both in their choice of materials and in the design. Alongside achieving an attractive, harmonious home, they prioritised improving its functionality, demonstrating their determination and persistence in pursuing their ideal home.

 

A little time and effort brought them a brand-new home perfectly suited to their family’s needs. What an enviable result! Click the video below to learn about the rebuild.

 

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After hearing their story, are you eager to build your own dream home? Would you like to know how they addressed New Zealand’s winter cold and the damp conditions of coastal areas? Would you like to discover the secret to reducing maintenance costs when building your own home?

 

Scan the QR code to follow the official James Hardie New Zealand WeChat account, and you will find the answers in the next article this month.