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There’s something romantic about water views and sunsets. Perhaps it is for this reason one Hamilton couple bought a tired 1980’s clinker brick house overlooking Hamilton’s Lake Rotoroa in 2013. Mere months after they moved in they engaged architect Evan Mayo to totally transform the comfortable - yet dated - home into a contemporary abode of renewed beauty.

Brought for its good bones and sensational lake views, the owners were reluctant to ‘knock it down and build again’- the fate of several established lakeside homes in recent times. Having worked successfully with the architect on their holiday home, their brief to Mayo was to improve the curb appeal and the layout of the existing house. Central to the owners requirements was increasing the amount of natural light within the home and to expand their views of the lake from the kitchen and living areas. With these parameters in mind, Mayo has weaved his magic reconfiguring and upgrading the house.

Taking on the challenge of a largely fixed footprint, the first step was to raise the head heights of the windows, increasing natural light into the house and improving the sites best asset – the majestic lake views. The architect has sharpened the overall aesthetic of the house by modernising the exterior materials and modifying the existing roof profile. Another deft decision has been shifting the internal staircase and utilising a new steel frame to completely open up the first-floor living areas.

This improves the flow between living/dining spaces and impressively creates a new view of the lake which can be seen right through the house and rear courtyard. The most successful renovations are ones where new and old work together seamlessly. By keeping to the original scale, the architect has succeeded in completely modernizing the entire property, creating a spacious, light warm home that makes the most of its strongest asset, its serene lakeside location.

Architecture Bureau
Waikato
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We believe people are at the heart of design, and bringing great design to our clients and communities we work with is our ultimate goal. Our practice is inspired by developing innovative ideas that are generated from the positive relationships with our clients. We also endeavour to ensure the experience of working with us is satisfying and memorable.

We remain flexible and communicative throughout the entire design and construction process to ensure that our design solutions reflect the needs and desires of our clients. We believe the creation of a design solution is not a solitary stoke of genius: but the result of a process that involves early ideas being tested, discussed, drawn and modelled, then re-considered and re-developed, to create a unique project that suits our clients’ brief and location.

The successful delivery of a project is not only possible by innovative design but includes sound technical solutions, thorough comprehensive documentation and strong collaborative relationships with fellow consultants and contractors. We receive consistent praise from contractors and consultants about our documentation, which results in fewer on-site variations and more control of the final project cost.

Our practice endeavours to focus attention on every detail throughout a project, and our work ranges in scale, type and budget.

Architecture Bureau Ltd is a Practice Member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.