Devonport House
By Becroft Howie Architects Ltd
This timber bungalow was in need of a complete make-over. The house still had many original features and was in a reasonable condition. But the interior was dark and uninviting, with no connection to the spacious rear garden other than via a dilapidated laundry. The clients’ brief was to modernise the home to provide two living areas, a spacious kitchen and laundry, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Generous indoor/outdoor living was essential, especially as there are great views from the rear garden.
The finished result was a complete transformation; the main living space was relocated to the rear with a modest extension to the main roofline, which was opened up internally to create a large, spacious family room with dining and kitchen adjacent, all opening to the garden. The existing front room was retained as a separate sitting room. The main bedroom was relocated to the former dining area and also extended to include a dressing area and ensuite bathroom. The three original bedrooms were retained and completely renovated with additional windows and wardrobes. Joinery throughout was designed to match the original bungalow detailing as the house is located in a heritage zone.
Structural Engineer: Ross Douglas, Thurlow Consulting Engineers
Builder: Marc Smyth Building Services Ltd
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Devonport House
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About the
Professional
Rachel Howie, director of Becroft Howie Architects, graduated from the University of Auckland in 1989. In 1992, after gaining experience in residential design and registration with the NZIA, she ventured into sole practice as Rachel Becroft: Architect. She has designed a number of family homes, small commercial interiors and numerous alterations and additions to existing houses. In 2010-11 she lived in Broken Hill, Outback NSW and was the only registered NSW architect west of Wagga Wagga! In 2013, after returning to New Zealand, she established Becroft Howie Architects Ltd, based in Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore.
Rachel has a passion for beautiful design. During overseas travels on an under-graduate gap-year she worked for an architectural practice in the UK. Her BArch thesis investigated the origins of the paradise courtyard garden and its influences on Modernism. A love of overseas travel has informed her fascination with place-making and settlement patterns. Rachel is a keen gardener and musician who also loves the textile arts. She has enjoyed renovating her 1960s home and garden on Auckland’s North Shore, which she shares with her husband and three children.
Becroft Howie Architects
is a registered NZIA Practice committed to innovative, responsive and sustainable architectural design. The practice aims to promote the Vitruvian ideals of “firmness, commodity and delight” with a pinch of Kiwi ingenuity. We seek out opportunities for sustainable design - via creative repurposing of existing construction elements, whenever possible, and by consciously promoting architecture that is an authentic response to the site, context and our clients’ brief and budget.
- Year founded2013
- ArchiPro Member since2024
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