The brief was to extend the existing home to create a more generous living environment for the family, with a new kitchen, dining and living area, master suite, laundry and powder room. A swimming pool and small pool house were also to be introduced, providing additional space for changing, storage and bathroom facilities.
Privacy was an important consideration, with the additions needing to respond to both the road and neighbouring properties while still opening the home towards the garden. As the clients enjoy entertaining throughout the summer, a strong connection between the interior and shaded outdoor spaces was central to the brief.
The project also presented an opportunity to make better use of the site's compact spaces, with the design exploring how these areas could feel generous and purposeful without increasing their footprint unnecessarily. A natural material palette was to be used throughout, while careful consideration was given to privacy and safety around the pool.
The existing house was in immaculate condition, so we felt it was important to respect and celebrate what was already there rather than change it for the sake of change. The original 1960’s character sits comfortably within the fabric of the street, and we wanted to retain that connection to its history.
We were also conscious of avoiding unnecessary waste and the landfill that comes with demolishing perfectly good building fabric. Ultimately we felt the better approach was to work with the existing house and allow the new additions to complement it.
The courtyard emerged as a direct response to the site, particularly the need to manage privacy, sunlight and the relationship between the existing house and the new additions. With the adjacent site to the west being subdivided, protecting the privacy of the house became an important consideration. Rather than simply treating this as a constraint, we used the pool house and carport as a deliberate architectural edge along the western boundary. This creates a strong buffer to the neighbouring property while enclosing the courtyard and giving the main living spaces a more private outlook.
The pool was positioned to the south of the site to preserve the northern sun and avoid the existing house casting significant shade across the outdoor living area. These moves naturally established the courtyard as the heart of the new composition - a private, sun-filled space that brings the existing 1960s house and the new architecture together.
The material palette was developed to sit comfortably between the existing house and the more modernist language of the additions.
The white bagged brick takes its cue from the existing brick elements of the original house. Painting it white felt appropriate to the mid-century modernist approach. The silvered Abodo cladding was chosen for its connection to the natural timber commonly found in mid-century architecture. Its softer, weathered appearance provides a subtle contrast to the white brick.
For the joinery, we deliberately moved away from a conventional powdercoated finish. The champagne anodised aluminium provides a more subtle contrast to both the timber and brick, and has a natural quality that works well with the material palette. It also gives the detailing a warmth and refinement without becoming visually dominant. Overall, the intention was to use a relatively restrained palette of natural and honest materials, with each material contributing to the mid-century modernist character.
Team:
Architecture: Nick Rowe Architecture
Builder: Ze Build
Surveyor: Envivo
Structural Engineer: C+H Structural Engineers
Landscape Architect: Walker Landscape
Tiler: Cutting Edge Tiles
Photographer: Sam Hartnett
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: Abodo, Vulcan - WB12, Patina Finish
Flooring: Exposed Concrete - Peter Fell
Doors: APL Metro Series - Champagne anodised finish
Windows: APL Metro Series - Champagne anodised finish
Roofing: Coloursteel, Dimond LT7 - Endura
Colour: Tui Tuft
Downpipes: Colorsteel, Endura
Kitchen Tapware: Plumbline, Buddy Range
Bathroom Splashback: Terrazzo & Stone, ‘Freckle’ Tiles Bathroom Vanity Custom - Birchwood Design
Interior lighting: Kitchen Pendant - Murano Plus - ‘The Florian Horizontal’ Bedroom Light - Astro Lighting by ECC, ‘Enna Wall Light’
Interior Furniture: Owners own
Fireplace: Warmington Studio, ‘Wood-Burning Stove’
Fencing/Glass Balustrade: Glass Vice
Paint: Resene Front Door ‘Afterglow’ Weatherboards ‘Silver Sand’ Brick ‘Alabaster’ Living Room ‘Armadillo’ Interiors ‘Quarter Merino’ & ‘Double Merino’
