Board-form concrete anchors stunning Te Arai home
A long-standing partnership between Oliver Tuck Construction and Firth has helped deliver some of Northland’s most impressive homes. One of the latest examples is this stunning Te Arai residence, where expertly crafted board-form concrete plays a defining role in the home's architectural character.
That collaboration has been built over many years and numerous high-end residential projects. “Ollie Tuck has been a long-standing Firth client since building a home at Whangārei Heads that was featured on Grand Designs,” says Kerry Newton, Area Sales and Operations Manager for Firth.
“I have had a very good and long-standing relationship with Firth,” says Ollie Tuck, Director of Oliver Tuck Construction. “They have always been really good to me. I think they understand ... and there is a very passionate and mutual appreciation for concrete. It has always been a particularly special product to me. The science of pouring good insitu concrete is fascinating-fast-paced and high-pressure-just how we like it!”
The Te Arai home, named ‘Waitere’ by local iwi, is a showcase of in-situ concrete construction, with extensive board-form concrete walls creating a distinctive architectural statement. Beyond their visual appeal, these elements establish a strong connection between the home and its coastal setting.
“Concrete insitu was a pivotal part of this project anchoring it to the landscape,” adds Ollie. “The board-form brief was detailed, with an intentional 1-2 mm step in board joins and an intentional mix of varying saw patterns and styles. Everything was considered ensuring boards modules started with the top of floor coverings and finished with ceiling linings, equally continuous throughout the house.”
“The chimney was the most complex structure we have ever built. Nothing square, with two fireplaces,structural steel intersections, multiple hearths, recessed TV boxes, BBQ insets, down pipes, gutter connections, range hood and five flues!”
Achieving the desired finish requires meticulous planning and execution. The formwork must be positioned with absolute precision and remain perfectly stable throughout the pour to achieve the crisp lines and timber grain texture that define board-form concrete.
“It’s not easy to position the formwork perfectly and ensure it remains stable when self-compacting concrete is poured,especially on this project. But Ollie and his team are masters,” says Kerry.
For Firth, projects such as Te Arai reflect the value of a trusted partnership with builders who consistently push the boundaries of quality and craftsmanship.
“Ollie has built an outstanding reputation for delivering some of the region’s most impressive homes,” says Kerry. “We’re proud that he continues to rely on our team for his concrete supply needs. The results speak for themselves."
