An old but sturdily constructed apiary near Matakana was the starting point for Dragonfly. Clients Wendy Faith and Sue Dobson thought that it would make an ideal cafe and shop for imported homeware, but they also wanted a retail art gallery.

Their brief which called for their new art gallery to be attached to the existing apiary, sparked the thought what if it wasn’t attached? The answer to that question delighted both architects and the clients. That result was to separate the art gallery from the old apiary so that a sunny courtyard could be formed between the two buildings. The courtyard provides an ideal sheltered space for outside dining and the display of sculpture.