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‘Knock your socks off’; ultimate man cave is a winner

Monday, 19 August 2024

Dean Graham presides over an incredible collection of motoring memoribilia. Designed by Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Group, his home interior has won a Canterbury ADNZ Home Interiors Award.
Dean Graham presides over an incredible collection of motoring memoribilia. Designed by Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Group, his home interior has won a Canterbury ADNZ Home Interiors Award.

There’s a DJ booth in a vintage VW camper and that’s just the start of a wild night in for the owners of this award-winning Lincoln home.

The interior of Graham Residence, designed by Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Group, has just won a 2024 Canterbury/Westland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Home Interiors Award. The architectural design is by Casey Curtis of CA Architecture.

There’s a sumptuous, fur-wrapped seating area in the middle of the floor, in front of a giant screen.
There’s a sumptuous, fur-wrapped seating area in the middle of the floor, in front of a giant screen.
From life-size Marvel figures to motorbikes in glass cages, the interior is an expected treasure trove.
From life-size Marvel figures to motorbikes in glass cages, the interior is an expected treasure trove.
And yes, of course there’s a great bar - this is a home made for entertaining on a grand scale.
And yes, of course there’s a great bar - this is a home made for entertaining on a grand scale.
Portholes (left) have been repurposed as display cases for collectables.
Portholes (left) have been repurposed as display cases for collectables.

This home was created for avid private collector Dean Graham - it blends living spaces with museum-like displays for an extensive collection of vehicles, motorcycles, and memorabilia.

Designed by Ben Gilpin of Gil-plans Architecture, this treehouse for adults in Raumati South has won an ADNZ regional award.

Other innovative features include repurposed portholes as backlit showcases, and life-size Marvel figures.

Hierarchy Group says the 420m² building is part museum, garage, gallery and living space.

“The cavernous interior, inspired by the New York loft style is predominantly black steel, brick and timber, providing texture and natural ambience without feeling too ‘shedlike’,” the website says.

From the exterior, the house is large, but it doesn’t give too much away.
From the exterior, the house is large, but it doesn’t give too much away.
The garage to end all garages - huge attention has been paid to lighting throughout the man cave.
The garage to end all garages - huge attention has been paid to lighting throughout the man cave.
The vintage VW camper is now a DJ booth.
The vintage VW camper is now a DJ booth.
The owner can lie in bed and view a “starry sky”.
The owner can lie in bed and view a “starry sky”.
An illuminated floor conveys the sense the bikes are floating.
An illuminated floor conveys the sense the bikes are floating.

“Distinct spaces and customised display cases were designed specifically for each collection so everything has a place and visual clutter is kept to a minimum.”

The ADNZ judges noted the design reflects meticulous attention to detail and a narrative journey through eccentric, personalised elements.

They also said described the home as a “riot of colour, celebrating male cultural exuberance”.

“Underlying the extensive visual stimulation is a carefully planned and curated series of spaces that link together to create a place of memory and display. The ‘man cave’ is also a crafted place of entertainment with meticulous attention to detail and fidelity to the client’s original vision.”

Clarification: The winning home interior of the Graham Residence was designed by ADNZ member Chris Wheeler of Hierarchy Group as reported, and the architectural design is by another ADNZ member Casey Curtis of CA Architecture.