historically charming

Highden Manor Estate has considerable architectural significance because it combines the design skills of two prominent New Zealand architects, Frederick de Jersey Clere in the original house and Charles Tilleard Natusch with the additions he designed to complement the original design. Highden captures the essence of their work and showcases fashionable styles of architecture and Tudor design of the time and is a Historic Place Category 1 building recognising its historical importance.

It was built in 1896 in Awahuri, Manawatu for the Honorable Walter Woods Johnston, a Member of Parliament for the Manawatu, on an area of land that stretched over a thousand acres. The vast section was later divided, with the smaller homestead block home to the manor house, farm buildings and the stand of native bush, retaining the name Highden.

Over the years, Highden has been home to everything from a working farm to a family home, the first permanent Novitiate in Oceania to a school of alternative learning methods. Today, fully restored to its original grandeur, the Manor has opened its doors for visitors to enjoy, combining hotel accommodation with a venue for business and social events and weddings.

With an expansive exterior that needs ongoing protection against the elements, Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint was chosen as an easy to clean surface that would also be sympathetic to the age of the substrate. This is complemented by trims and joinery in the contrasting gloss finish of Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamel. The fresh exterior paint system extends to the roofing area, which has been finished in durable Resene Summit Roof satin waterborne paint.

This stunning building hadn’t been painted for at least 20 years, so the painting project required extensive stripping and scaffolding to reach the full building height of 10 metres.

The owners selected many different colours to ‘dress her up’ and these were electronically rendered using the Resene RenderRite visualisation service to check and confirm placement prior to the start of painting. The colour palette includes Resene Jurassic (dusky green), Resene Vanquish (reserved red), Resene Bittersweet (mustard beige), Resene Botticelli (icy blue), Resene Astra (rich cream), Resene Orchid White (oriental cream), Resene Napa (stoney beige neutral) and Resene Judge Grey (mid brown). After a laborious six months the Highden Manor Estate was transformed. Situated on 36 acres of manicured gardens and native forest, and resplendent in its fresh paintwork, the historic Highden Manor House invites you to experience the serenity and privacy of a world of civilised grace and old English charm.

www.highdenmanor.co.nz
Painting Contractor: Martin Beveridge Ltd
Resene: BJ Searancke, Manawatu Trade Sales Representative
From the Resene News – issue 1/2013

Resene case studies/awards project gallery

View case studies that have used Resene products including many from our Resene Total Colour Awards. We hope these projects provide inspiration for decorating projects of your own...view projects

Total Colour Award winners: 
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | Entry info

Latest projects | Project archive | Resene news archive | Colour chart archive