Our approach to transforming the old hall into a modern home for the growing family of five was to expand the house towards the west to make the most of Dunedin harbour views and afternoon sun. A new wing was added, with the main access to the house also the link between the two volumes, giving direct access to stairs leading to an upstairs lounge with an outlook over the water. The original hall was totally renovated, including full insulation, new lining, cladding and roofing, and re-piling. The new layout houses the kids’ area, with two bedrooms, family bathroom, kids’ lounge and laundry. In addition to the lounge, upstairs includes a dining room and kitchen with generous views and afternoon sun. The ground floor includes a new master bedroom, ensuite and covered deck. The old and new forms, although divided, are linked through the entry and dressed with a bold, yet subtle, metal cladding that reduces the tensions of the two different forms. Simple forms, ease of maintenance, thermal efficiency and low overall cost were key, so the new structure was done in 140mm timber framing with plenty of insulation, roof trusses and flax pod vertical metal cladding. The link, to accentuate its connecting role, was clad in vertical shiplap cedar, with a lower roof line.

ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards 2022 - Commended (Residential Alteration & Additions Award)