Matakana Ridge | The Stubbs Residence

Delivering exceptional high-end house design in Matakana requires listening closely to both the landscape and the clients. Featured in Junction Magazine, the Stubbs residence represents a perfect balance of bold architecture and inviting family warmth. Clients Jackie and Don Stubbs brought us a brilliant vision. They desired a welcoming home that effortlessly doubled as a premium entertainer’s dream. Positioned on a prominent ridgeline, the site offers breathtaking 360° panoramas of Tongue Farm, the Matakana River and back towards Warkworth. Our primary goal was to anchor the structure firmly into this elevated terrain while capturing those spectacular views.

Intelligent Layout and Seamless Flow

To achieve the perfect balance of shelter and openness, we developed a floor plan incorporating 4 pods totalling over 500m² of floor area. This specific layout effectively shields the core living spaces from prevailing winds. Furthermore, it creates a highly protected central courtyard that serves as the ultimate outdoor entertaining hub. When you open the oversized front doors, they immediately frame the sweeping river views and draw the outside in.

A Masterclass in Premium Materiality

Material selection dictates the entire feel of a high-end house design. We wrapped key exterior elevations in striking Corten steel, going so far as to conceal the garage door seamlessly within the metal facade. We then introduced Sumner stone veneer, running it continuously from the outside right through to the interior hallways. Above, Eurostyle Spanlok 370 roofing provides visual impact and durability.

Inside, the luxury continues. Exquisite European oak chevron flooring was selected to ground the living areas. We lined the walls with a textured ply, adding rich tactile depth. Finally, we outfitted the designer kitchen with top-tier appliances.

Flawless Execution by McMahon Builders

Our complex architectural vision required an elite construction team. We worked incredibly closely with Wayde McMahon and his crew at McMahon Builders. The entire build process was highly collaborative. The team actually utilized the property’s minor dwelling as a testing site for specific finishes, which prevented costly delays on the main house. Ultimately, this home stands as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and unified partnership between client, designer and builder.

Project Credits:

• Project Type: Luxury Residential Build
• Location: Green Road, Matakana, Rodney District
• Design: Haden Kose | Haden Kose Architecture
• Structural Engineering: Hawthorn Geddes
• Builder: McMahon Builders

• Read the original feature article over at Junction Magazine.