By Dorrington Atcheson Architects
From the street, this transitional bungalow in Mt Eden looks quaint and charming. An entry porch with hexagonal detailing, shingled gables and a stucco finish bring interest to the architecture. Yet its planning was not so alluring. Located on a wedge-shaped site, which narrowed towards the rear, the interior spaces were a compromise of small rooms squeezed into the awkward footprint.
To create a more useable, liveable environment for a family with young children was the challenge. The three bedrooms which ran down the eastern side of the house were retained, along with the formal lounge street-side with its distinctive bay window. However the living areas were completely re-planned within the tight constraints of the original outline.
Instead of a maze of walls dividing off spaces, three separate elements are used to define function within the western flank of the home. A black ‘box’, housing the bathroom, WC and laundry, is an unexpected insertion, while an island bench with a polished-concrete top becomes a natural gathering point. The third element is a bank of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that runs the length of the rear wall; it transcends the kitchen zone to become a container for the TV and fireplace and ends with a built-in daybed that captures sun from the north-facing back garden. While the rear of the home was pushed out two metres, a new decking area seamlessly links to this extension on the same floor plane to lend a feeling of even more spaciousness.
Sensitive to the era of the home, jarrah tongue-and-groove was chosen to meld with the existing flooring, but the contemporary black-and-white palette in the revamped living zones is intentionally modern and makes for a striking contrast.
Photographer
Emma-Jane Hetherington
Twenty years of experience coupled with an enduring spirit of youthful enthusiasm is the yin-yang balance that makes Dorrington Atcheson Architects a team that has produced so many award-winning buildings for their clients.
While every project calls for a fresh eye and an innovative approach, directors Tim Dorrington and Sam Atcheson also draw upon their considerable experience within the New Zealand marketplace.
Specialising in residential design, but with a proven track record in retail and office environments, this boutique company has quietly made their mark on the built environment, winning several NZIA awards.
Their methodology is highly collaborative, so while DAA favours contemporary design that takes its cue from mid-century modernism, its role is not to dictate but to engage with the requirements of home-owners and clients. Responding to site, budget and idiosyncrasies is all in a day’s work.
This honest approach is reflected in the materiality of their buildings where natural products are celebrated. Dorrington Atcheson Architects design functional spaces with measured proportions, a simplicity of structure and just enough surprise to delight.