Residential-Renovations

Mackay

Description: Additions and Alterations to a single storey two bedroom family beach house.

Our clients, whom we have previously designed for, were after more accommodation for their growing family. We chose to extend the building vertically, keeping the existing footprint of the house. The proposed additional storey, the ‘black box’ juxtaposes and brings interest to the existing beach house below.

The ‘black box’ contains open plan living, a dining room and kitchen with an exterior deck. It will transform the house from two bedrooms to four bedrooms.

Alder McPherson

Description: A 1913 family house on sloping site with great northern aspect to Wellington Harbour.

The brief was to remove previous additions to the north side of the house and to build new additions to utilise the availability of amazing harbour views and plentiful sunlight on both storeys of the house.

Our proposal extends the Family areas to the north and opens out onto a vast timber deck. Access to the lower storey is gained via a spiral staircase.

Additional space required for a children’s play area was found by using currently wasted roof space. Additional bedrooms provided on the lower floor open onto north facing decks. All new work to the south, east and west elevations are to have traditional detailing to match the existing dwelling. The new north elevation is of a contemporary aesthetic and is extensively glazed to provide a sense of openness and transparency.

The external structure is to be made of timber, which over time will weather, providing a warm and natural feel to the family home.

Wilkinson Fisher

Description: Alteration and additions to private dwelling.

The original building was a Masonic lodge and was later converted into a private dwelling. The large double height timber panelled Masonic hall was converted to a photographic studio. The original neo classical front façade has a very strong street presence. Previous work we had undertaken for the client on this building reinforced the street façade with the introduction of a street level garage.

Our returning clients came to us for guidance in converting the hall/ photographic studio into a ‘loft style’ independent apartment.

Our proposal leaves as much of the hall intact as possible, by inserting a light weight gallery and mezzanine level while also opening up the north eastern corner on both levels.

The main central space to the new apartment contains living, formal lounge, dining and a large kitchen, with stairs up to a gallery, main bedroom and ensuite.

The existing north eastern corner is to be removed and replaced with sliders on two levels to allow this corner of the building to open right up to views, sunlight and breezes.

The north-eastern corner is on the opposite side to the symmetrical neo classical frontage, so to contrast this an asymmetrical modern construction was proposed for the back.

Vorstermans House

Description: Alterations and Additions.

This project is my own family home. We bought the 1961, two storey ‘Brick and Tile Box’ set on the hill side of Seatoun Heights because of the magnificent views of Seatoun Beach and the inner Wellington Harbour. We redesigned the existing home in an attempt to engage every space of the house with the views and the land, while engaging with passive solar and sustainable building principles that have proven to provide us with a consistently warm environment all year round. We achieved this through the use of insulation, slab heat sinks, double glazing and well considered north facing glazing. In addition, the use of solar hot water heating and heat pump technology has proven to reduced energy use to a surprisingly low level for a substantial home. Every room captures a unique view and relates specifically to the differing levels of the terraced garden.

Interior spaces open up and close off with large sliding doors, giving the house both an open spacious and intimate feel necessary for its ever changing uses. 

Gibney McDermott

A residential bungalow from the 1930’s that Rob was approached to renovate. “It was a single story three bedroom home that needed a whole lot more space added but without changing the character of the house. That was a key design issue,” says Rob, “because the clients were strong on the fact they wanted to maintain that bungalow feel.”

Rob was approached because of his experience in doing alterations to residential properties. “It’s an extremely satisfying market to be in because of the fulfillment and satisfaction I get from working with residential customers. My core focus is to keep working with individual owners and I’m getting a lot of clients coming back a second time either to do further alterations or to build from scratch.”
54 Hector St was a challenge however as it needed extensive renovating to accomplish what the clients wanted. “We had to add an extra storey to add two
additional bedrooms, add another bathroom, put on a family room and a double garage.”

Lepionka Houses

Description: Eric Lepionka Builder

This scheme was done as a development of a suburban lot in Miramar. The existing house was removed from the site and the client requested two, three bedroom townhouses be designed. The townhouses are designed using contemporary materials and forms whilst remaining respectful of the character of surrounding buildings.
Cedar weatherboard cladding is stained a rich orange brown and provides a robust, attractive finish. Boxes are pushed out of the side facades where extra space was required in the plan.
Living spaces open onto private outdoor courtyards which surround the buildings.

Morrison House

The clients brief was to alter there existing timber villa on the Grand Circle of Mt Victoria, Hawker St. They requested that a 50’s addition be removed from the street elevation, and that it be restored with an addition resembling its original condition.
The design for the extensions to the living and upstairs bedroom, utilized careful timber detailing to the exterior and interior to seamlessly integrate the old with the new. The plan was opened out and new kitchen / bathroom / laundry lean to at the rear provide modern facilities, with access to a private garden.

Contact Details

phone 04-384 8395
fax 04-385 1102

email rob@architecture.gen.nz
web www.architecture.gen.nz

street address 47 Cuba St, Wellington
postal address PO Box 11083, Wellington