banner

This charming cottage on Ponsonby’s John Street is one of the oldest dwellings in the historic suburb and had undergone several dubious additions over the years,  including a narrow upstairs deck, gabled turret and layers of lean to’s out the back to supplement its tiny footprint.

The unique design of the cottage and its location, backing onto the playing fields of St Paul’s College, attracted the clients, who immediately saw the appeal of inner-city living coupled with the benefits of the park-like school grounds, the location offered.

Internally the house consisted of only 85m2 over 2 floors and required a complete reorganisation to create a modern family home. The existing house was lifted and shifted back from the street to create a parking pad out the front, a necessity on John Street where parking is compromised.

The original portion of the house has been modernized but maintains its character. It now houses the bedrooms, the house bathroom downstairs and a master suite upstairs. The front façade has remained faithful to the original cottage.

The contemporary extension out the back, a sleek modern box is juxtaposed against the original. This incorporates a modern kitchen which opens to a sun-filled north facing courtyard. An open-plan living and dining room in turn opens onto the deck and terraced garden. In the Japanese tradition of “borrowed scenery” the garden appears to continue through a back gate and onto the rolling playing fields beyond.

The original weatherboards, timber window joinery and interior character features have been maintained in the cottage while the extension is clad and fitted out with modern materials including Equitone Minerals, aluminum joinery and mebrane roofing.

Photographer
Emma-Jane Hetherington

Dorrington Atcheson Architects
Auckland
Get in touch
Visit Website
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street
John Street

Professionals used in
John Street

About the
Professional

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.