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An iconic 80’s A-frame style, the rooms were small and cramped with a lack of light. A restrained process of updating and modernising the original without compromising its character, required a subtle change to the flow and connections of the spaces, resulting in a house that feels bigger and functions better.
The general room allocation mostly remained but with a modern twist, for example the kitchen panelling now conceals a hidden door to the master bedroom and ensuite and internal sliders help to partition off the living and dining room.
The open plan kitchen seems to anchor the rest of the house, sitting as it does at the hub and connects to the rear veranda via a sliding window and external bench, making it perfect for entertaining.
Built in furniture complete the renovation and in a nod to the era a banquette style dining nook provides a dedicated space for eating.
Using the existing material palette as the basis for selecting new materials helped to focus the interior design and make the spaces feel more generous.
With the insertion of new cabinetry in complimentary materials and the inclusion of some drama in the use of large scale sliding doors the retro aesthetic mashes well with the contemporary, a satisfying result.
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We're an architecture and design studio creating warm spaces for human connection. We believe architecture thrives on play and exploration, where clever solutions and clear dialogue create a dynamic interplay between all the elements of a project, bringing them all into balance.
Our directors, Tim Dorrington and Sam Atcheson, have spent over twenty years developing a design philosophy that's playful, balanced and inclusive. Clever solutions to interesting challenges are one of the hallmarks of our work, as is an eternally-youthful enthusiasm for creating truly transformative design. We like to think of it as delivering just enough surprise to truly delight our clients.
We're proud of the impact our team has made on the built environment of Aotearoa, with multiple NZIA Awards to our name and a roster of happy clients. We specialise in residential projects, but have also had success with retail and commercial environments.
Our approach is highly collaborative. While we often draw on the rich lineage of mid-century modernism, we're not design dictators. Every project is a response to site, budget and our clients dreams and objectives. It's an honest and open process, which reflects in the materiality of our buildings and the experience of the spaces we create.
Our design philosophy:
playful, human, balanced, clever, inclusive, transformative.
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