Industrial Chic with a Precision Finish

Tucked into a quiet corner of Manawatu, this striking home is a testament to bold design paired with precise execution. Delivered under a labour-only contract for Design Builders Manawatu, this project saw our Mayhem Construction team working closely with both the clients and the design team to bring a highly modern, industrial-chic home to life.

“We’ve worked with Design Builders Manawatu quite a few times and really enjoy working on their projects,” says Mason, owner of Mayhem Construction. “Our role on this project was to work directly alongside the clients while maintaining clear communication between them and Design Builders as the main contractor.”

Exploring Modern Design

From the moment you approach the property, it’s clear that this home is something special. A curved boardwalk, custom-built to complement the landscaping, winds its way to a front entrance like no other. The entrance is marked by a bespoke copper door—an art piece in its own right—that hints at the craftsmanship within. Surrounding the entry is Cemintel cladding in Urban Grey, adding texture and contrast to the sleek exterior.

“The curved boardwalk was specifically designed around the landscaping elements and a vision the homeowners shared, leading up to that copper door. I loved the challenge that was given to us to create this entranceway,” Mason recalls.

Stepping inside, the layout opens into an expansive living and dining area. Vaulted ceilings, framed by scissor trusses, create a sense of grandeur and space. Natural light pours in, illuminating the bold black kitchen with its matte finishes and tiled flooring. Just off the kitchen is a fully equipped scullery, perfect for keeping the main area sleek and ready for entertaining.

The centrepiece of the living area is a double-sided fireplace, wrapped in Cemintel cladding and stretching from floor to ceiling. This feature defines both spaces, offering warmth and style that carries through to the sitting room with its framed window seat—a perfect spot to take in the views.

Seamless Flow & Function

This home was designed not just to look beautiful but to live beautifully. The flow from the kitchen to the decking area creates effortless indoor-outdoor living. The deck, crafted from Vitex Hardwood, is built for entertaining, with steps leading down to landscaped gardens that complement the natural setting.

One standout feature is the flush finish garage door. Seamlessly integrated into the Abodo Vulcan Cladding, it’s practically invisible when closed—creating a sleek, uninterrupted façade.

“It was incredibly rewarding seeing that come together – getting the mitres perfect, matching the shiplap spacing exactly. You step back, and it’s like the garage disappears.”

Luxury Living Spaces

The master suite is a retreat of its own, featuring a walk-in wardrobe and a beautifully appointed en-suite. Custom tiling and modern fittings elevate the space, making it both luxurious and functional. Two additional bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned to ensure privacy and comfort, with a well-designed family bathroom to serve these spaces.

The laundry, featuring a bold, artistic wallpaper splashback, is both practical and stylish—proving that even utility spaces can make a statement.

Building with Precision and Vision

At Mayhem Construction, our focus is always on delivering high-quality craftsmanship with a structured and adaptable process. Working on projects like this is not just about executing a design—it's about truly understanding the client's vision and being flexible enough to bring it to life with precision and care.

Whether it's integrating innovative materials like Cemintel cladding for a flush, modern finish, or crafting the seamless look of an invisible garage door, our team is committed to quality at every turn. It's this dedication to detail and structured communication that ensures each build not only meets expectations but exceeds them.

“We’ve developed a really solid process now – so when you’re dealing with a fast-evolving design and specific client visions, it doesn’t become chaos. It stays structured, and we stay calm.”

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‍Project Partners:

Design Builders Manawatu - Labour-only contract by Mayhem Construction Ltd

‍Photography captured by AK Creative on site.

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Materials and Key Features

For this project, a range of high-quality, sustainable materials was selected to complement the industrial-chic aesthetic:

• Cemintel Territory Urban Grey Cladding: A durable, weatherboard-style product with a unique dimpled texture, used for bold exterior walls, posts, and the double-sided fireplace.
• Abodo Vulcan Cladding: Crafted from sustainably grown timber and treated with Sioo:x for low maintenance, adding both warmth and resilience to the exterior finish.
• Vitex Hardwood Decking: Known for its durability and rich colour, this hardwood was chosen for its strength and elegant finish.

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Client Review:

“We had the pleasure of working with Mason and his team at Mayhem Construction as part of the wider team on our recent home build project. From start to finish, Mason was professional and easy to work with.

One of the qualities we noticed was their agility in learning and implementing new building material systems (Cemintel). We were interested in incorporating some of the latest sustainable low maintenance materials into our project, and Mason not only embraced this challenge but also excelled in delivering high-quality workmanship using this new system. He did a lot of prep work to ensure the finishing details provided a great feature to the house.

Communication is often a critical factor in any construction project. They were always available to answer our questions, and discuss any concerns we had. Great work, thanks.” - Tracey

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