Close to the city, away from city life: is refined country living with a sense of freedom and ease for you?

In a sparsely populated country such as New Zealand, where rural and urban life are distinctly different, how many people dream of an idyllic country lifestyle yet stay in a big city because they cannot give up its convenience and connections? In fact, choosing the right location can give you both tranquillity and convenience.

 

In Waikato, in New Zealand’s North Island, Lance Anderson moved into a newly built home with his three sons. Lance heads construction company CHT Developments and has nearly 20 years of experience in the building industry. This time, he chose to build the perfect home for himself and his family, offering “the best of both worlds”.

 

 

 

Close to the city, away from city life

 

 

When we talk about building a new home, we often discuss the importance of compromise. But with careful consideration and design at the outset, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. The Waikato home built by Lance Anderson does just that: it meets the needs of family life with his three sons, Carter, Hunter and Tommy, while perfectly combining the freedom of country living with urban convenience.

 

From the outset, Lance decided to build a home close to the city yet away from the bustle. He therefore found a section near Hamilton that was within easy reach of town but quiet enough, with plenty of space for a basketball hoop and a lawn where the children could practise rugby.

 

 

He said:

 

“The house is close to town, but far enough away that you do not feel as though you are in the city at all. The neighbours are very friendly, and it is a safe community for raising children. We have quite a large space, with a basketball hoop out front and a lawn where the boys can practise rugby.”

 

 

Balancing design and functionality

 

 

When commissioning Chilton + Mayne to design the house, Lance wanted a clean, fresh, minimalist exterior, so he took particular care when choosing the cladding. He wanted a battened look and initially considered plywood, but ultimately chose James Hardie’s Axon™ Panel Smooth (formerly EasyLap™ Panel).

 

Axon™ Panel Smooth offers a distinctly contemporary look, along with excellent durability and resistance to fire, rot and moisture, while requiring very little maintenance.

Lance used Axon™ Panel Smooth on the house exterior, the wall beside the pool and the cabin, painting it all white in Resene Black White for a strikingly bright appearance.

 

“We chose James Hardie’s Axon™ Panel Smooth mainly for its durability. It felt like a better long-term solution than plywood,”  Lance explained.

 

He particularly likes the home’s simple style: “The exterior is painted in Resene Black White, and guests always find our house easily because the white house really stands out on the street. I just say ‘the white house’, and they know.”

 

 

 

Axon™ Panel Smooth also features inside the house. The television wall uses panels painted black, with a fireplace installed beneath the television to create a distinctive space reflecting Lance’s personal style. This brings consistency to the interior and exterior design while enhancing the overall visual appeal.

 

 

 

Creating a comfortable family home

 

 

Lance paid particular attention to his family’s needs when designing the house. He wanted everyone to have their own space, alongside generous shared areas where the family could spend time together. Each private space flows into the open-plan communal area, making the most of the available space.

 

The house has four bedrooms, two living rooms and an open-plan kitchen and dining area, providing privacy while creating an ideal setting for warm family moments together.

The outdoor entertaining area is another highlight of Lance’s home. Alongside the pool and sauna, he installed an outdoor television and fireplace, making it ideal for family gatherings and barbecues. The family loves hosting guests but also enjoys having private spaces of its own. Lance said his favourite ways to relax were watching sport in the media room or playing touch rugby with his sons on the lawn.

 

While his sons enjoy playing by the pool, Lance prefers the comfort of reclining beside it in the sunshine. He said, “My favourite seat in the whole house is definitely beside the pool, enjoying a few drinks in the sun.”