House of the Year 2024 Finalist

Completion Date:

March 2023

Project Details:

Supreme Balustrades supplied, fabricated and installed the balustrades and handrails for this project. We worked closely with Qualmax Construction and Murray Robertson of Robertson Architects to meet the requirements of the building owner, who wanted to create a stunning architectural home, with Passive House performance.

The dramatic cantilevered living space offers two deck areas, and the exterior glass balustrade was side fixed with channel, to give a clear view of the surrounding area, and reinforce the feeling of a “land yacht” floating among the treetops. The choice of the small continuous nano top rail meant costs were kept within budget, as 12mm CFT glass could be used rather than thicker glass. The channel and top rail were powder coated in Dulux Flaxpod to complement the colour palette used for the flashing, cladding, and other building materials.

The home’s cantilever design requires a steel framework that the internal stairway effectively sneaks through. To keep this area light and open, the interior balustrade is glass fixed with stainless steel glass anchors, also known as double offset discs. A continuous stainless steel handrail is attached through the side of the glass to eliminate the need for a top rail. The handrail is fully welded to flow all the way up the stairs, from the glass balustrade at the entrance lobby and garage level, to the timber wall of the first floor. The half wall on the first floor landing was designed to be the same height as the kitchen bench, so a stainless steel handrail was added to the top of the wall to make it code compliant height.

The high level of commitment and attention to detail given to this project was recognised with Bell House being a finalist for House of the Year 2024.

Build: Qualmax Construction Limited

Design: Murray Robertson, Robertson Architects | Lower Hutt Commercial and Residential Design

Images: Paul McCredie

Key Products Used:

Exterior balustrade side fixed with Channel, 12mm CFT glass and top rail
Interior balustrade side fixed with stainless steel Glass Anchors, 12mm CFT glass and top rail
DULUX Duralloy® powder coat colour Flaxpod
Continuous welded stainless steel handrails

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