Lower Hutt Bungalow

Family home is a 1926 California Bungalow, situated in a quiet residential street, bordered with leafy trees. Streetscape architecture is clusters of bungalows, intermixed with more modern substantial homes.  The original bungalow had formal living areas to the front, with a feature bay window. During a previous owner’s renovation, living spaces were moved to the rear southern aspect of the home to access the gardens. Our client was frustrated with sun on the roof and very little inside the living spaces. The rear elevation was austere, dominating with the high gable which completely overwhelmed the character of the bay window and small French doors to the garden. 

The simple brief was to create a new master suite and second living area, whilst retaining an office. The Architectural fabric and integrity of the original character to remain, but the design to embrace flexible, modern open plan living.  The new extension designed to blend seamlessly with the original traditional architecture, and merging aspects of contemporary design. With soaring gable interior ceilings, large cavity sliding doors to close off the living when required. Large stacker slides to create an indoor-outdoor flow and dramatic skylights, which retained privacy and bathed the original gloomy kitchen in sunlight.  The rear of the family home is now in complete contrast to its predecessor, flooded with light, volume and embracing the garden beyond.