Matakauri Lodge was JMI’s first major project in Queenstown, and what an undertaking it was. The lodge spans three stories, covering over 500m², and is nestled into the hillside of Fernhill. The project presented significant challenges, including driving 43 piles, each 8 meters deep into the hard bedrock, during a harsh winter. Additionally, two suspended slabs had to be poured, and a complex stepped slope had to be navigated within a tight timeframe to ensure the lodge was ready for guests the following summer.
With 10 accommodation rooms, each featuring an ensuite and small kitchen, it was necessary to fire-insulate all areas from each other. This required close collaboration with the fire engineer and adherence to local regulations. One of the most challenging design requests from the client was to align the timber decking with the cladding for a seamless, unified look—a feat we successfully achieved thanks to our skilled and patient builders.
“We chose JMI not just for their competitive pricing but because of the impressive quality and variety of homes we viewed before starting our own build. While other companies offered lower quotes, their workmanship didn’t match the high standards we saw with JMI.
The best part of working with JMI was their transparency and communication. The team kept us updated throughout the entire process, making sure we were informed about every stage of construction.
What really exceeded our expectations was their commitment to quality. From experience, I know that new houses often develop cracks over time as the foundation settles. However, thanks to JMI’s solid construction—even with our home built on a slope—we’ve had minimal settling issues. The only minor cracks we’ve noticed are around the stairs, which were done by another company.
If you’re considering building, I would highly recommend JMI for their professionalism, quality craftsmanship, and dedication to doing the job right.”
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