Masterspec
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Manawa House by Cube Architecture
"Masterspec has been an indispensable tool for our project Manawa House. During the specification, Masterspec streamlined our entire specification...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Ligar Bay Bach by Young Architects
"Masterspec was used for providing a detailed, fully customised, specification as part of our comprehensive project documentation for the Ligar Bay...
25 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Hilltop Home by Jon McAlpine Architecture
“Masterspec is a critical component in our studio. Its user-friendly platform and regular product specification updates, keep us constantly on the...
06 Aug 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
In Masterspec NOTES June 2024, we provided commentary around the changes to the NZ Building Code relating to domestic smoke alarms.
18 Jul 2024
New Industry Initiative to Reduce Carbon Emissions of New Zealand Buildings
A new industry-led initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of Aotearoa New Zealand’s buildings, which contribute up to 20% of the national...
04 Jul 2024
Masterspec Announces New MasterKey4 for Revit 2025 Enhancements
Streamlined Workflows and Improved Collaboration with MasterKey4. We are excited to announce the latest update to MasterKey4 for Revit 2025, designed...
04 Jun 2024
Building Code Updates 2023-2024
This month we have published amendments in response to building code updates. The 2023-24 NZBC changes were published by MBIE on the 2 November 2023,...
04 Jun 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
From November 2023 the Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire (C/AS1 and C/AS2) have been amended to make Type 1 interconnected...
05 Apr 2024
Understanding Project Scope and How to Specify Window Systems
It is vital that Movement and Deflection criteria are correctly defined in the Specification. We cannot over emphasize the importance of correctly...
04 Apr 2024
MBIE Building Consent System Review - Overview and Update
In July 2022, MBIE commenced a review of the building consent system, as part of the Building System Reforms to improve the consenting process. The...
30 Nov 2023
NZCIC Guidelines Responsibility Schedule Goes Digital
The new online tool enables real-time collaboration among multiple stakeholders, fostering efficiency and innovation in construction processes.
10 Nov 2023
BCA Requests to Modify Manufacturers Technical Content
mDocs allows the specifier to quickly access the latest version of a document uploaded by the manufacturer or supplier. Importantly, these detailed...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Taharoto Lane by X Studio Architects
The development will have 19 units, including studio, office, and retail space. The residential units will have balconies with views of the city...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Soaring Box House by Turner Road Architecture
The house’s unique design fits into the rural landscape. The house has a cantilevered structure and a soaring angular volume. The interior design is...
13 Sep 2023
Hallmark Group Opens Up About BPIR
Recently, Hallmark Group turned to Masterspec, a trusted name in compliance solutions, for guidance on their BPIR for fire doors. In this article, we...
06 Sep 2023
Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi: Kinetic Architecture, Innovation and Sustainability
In the heart of Abu Dhabi's skyline, two iconic towers stand as shining examples of innovative architecture and sustainable design. The Al Bahr...
05 Sep 2023
Silica - Understanding the Risks
Over recent months, we have had several enquiries from designers in relation to industry concerns with silica-based building products and the...
18 Aug 2023
Masterspec: Your Partner in BPIR Product Review Compliance
The Building Regulation Act 2022 comes into force on 11th December 2023, requiring building product suppliers in New Zealand to provide baseline...
27 Jul 2023
Masterspec Partners with NZCIC & CSA to Digitise the NZCIC Guidelines
Masterspec, has been working with the New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) and the Construction Sector Accord (CSA) in an exciting new...
24 Jul 2023
How Specifiers Reduce Risks by using Masterspec's Work Section Support
In the construction industry, collaboration is one of the keys to success. Masterspec, as a leader in providing specification solutions, has long...

Belle View House Waiheke: An Innovative Design Response

24 Jul 2023

The plan is for Belle View House to be situated on a Waiheke Island headland, the Belle View House will be an architectural marvel when completed, designed and documented with precision using ArchiCAD and Masterspec.

Design Response

Drawing inspiration from the site's sensory attributes, the architectural composition takes on a sculptural form, with roof forms floating above solid retaining walls that terrace the steep hillside. Each level and its associated retaining wall follows the contours, offering captivating views and harmonious connections to the outdoors. Glazing encloses the habitable spaces, protecting from the elements yet still allowing the occupant to commune with the exterior environment. Taking inspiration from the small medieval streets of Italian hillside villages, the outdoor stairway forms a social pedestrian spine that wends between private rooms. Revealing vistas as you traverse the site. The architecture maximises the site's natural topography, capturing breath-taking panoramic views, whilst simultaneously creating shelter from prevailing winds.

Problem-Solving is Much Easier With Masterspec

The project faces its fair share of challenges, with strict District Plan Ridgeline controls, steep contours and extreme winds. Building in an area of extreme high wind zone presents unique set of construction challenges.

Overcoming these obstacles required meticulous planning. This is where Masterspec steps in, providing a toolset that helps achieve streamlined documentation throughout the project.

Pepper Architects maximises the power of Masterspec's maintained specifications platform, complemented by the MasterKey application integrated with ArchiCAD's CI Tools Keynotes function. This combination ensures seamless updates across all drawings, saving valuable time, and providing clarity for sub-contractors.

"The integration of Masterspec with the CAD software goes a long way towards reducing that error rate. I can update a keynote for example and know with confidence that every single keynote across all the documentation is picked up instantaneously. That saves time hunting them all down. That ensures there is no errors tucked away on some sheet that we have forgotten to check or just missed.

This is why Masterspec is our preferred specification software.”

- Michael Pepper, Managing Director of Pepper Architects

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