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The kitchen is also bathed in light with large sliding windows opening the kitchen to the vege garden outside and drenching the island bench with sunlight.  

For a family of 6 including 4 teenage children, this was to be a home that the kids could invite their friends back to. The brief was that it must be open and welcoming, durable and easily maintainable, be light and spacious. It was to include a variety of internal and external spaces that catered for those quiet moments, family moments, and rowdy parties.  

C–Architecture
Auckland
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The warm tones of rich cedar weatherboards and cedar slats create a softness next to the dark grey zinc clad walls.
The warm tones of rich cedar weatherboards and cedar slats create a softness next to the dark grey zinc clad walls.
The north facing courtyard tucked in between lush hedging and the dining area create a private and intimate outdoor dining experience. Louvres over this space provide shade and shelter but slide away to one side should one wish for more sun.
The north facing courtyard tucked in between lush hedging and the dining area create a private and intimate outdoor dining experience. Louvres over this space provide shade and shelter but slide away to one side should one wish for more sun.
A double height glazed entry lets light penetrate the central hallway or circulation zone.
A double height glazed entry lets light penetrate the central hallway or circulation zone.
Open riser stairs let light from the entry void further penetrate all levels of the house.
Open riser stairs let light from the entry void further penetrate all levels of the house.
The dining and family room enjoy an abundance of light and connect directly to the north facing courtyard and western garden.
The dining and family room enjoy an abundance of light and connect directly to the north facing courtyard and western garden.
The kitchen is also bathed in light with large sliding windows opening the kitchen to the vege garden outside and drenching the island bench with sunlight.  
The kitchen is also bathed in light with large sliding windows opening the kitchen to the vege garden outside and drenching the island bench with sunlight.  
Set on an urban, long and narrow site running east west, the 6 bedroom home has beautiful outlooks both east and west but two close neighbours to the north and south sides. The need to celebrate these two wonderful aspects of the site whilst maintain priv
Set on an urban, long and narrow site running east west, the 6 bedroom home has beautiful outlooks both east and west but two close neighbours to the north and south sides. The need to celebrate these two wonderful aspects of the site whilst maintain priv
The house is organised into different zones through split levels with the entry and garaging stepping up to the main living areas which connect to the northwest facing gardens. The next split level up is the games room which enjoys the outlook east over t
The house is organised into different zones through split levels with the entry and garaging stepping up to the main living areas which connect to the northwest facing gardens. The next split level up is the games room which enjoys the outlook east over t

Professionals used in
St Heliers Home

About the
Professional

C–Architecture specialises in residential architecture: new homes, alterations and additions, kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry and fitting design. 

We provide the complete package from concept design through to on-site observation and administration of the construction process.

Influenced and inspired by the place we call home, the west coast beach of Piha, in Auckland, C–Architecture endeavours to create architecture that celebrates the spirit of a client and of a site.

Critical to delivering this goal is communication. C–Architecture strives to intimately understand how a client lives, how their family lives, their brief, their desires, their aesthetic and their budget - through listening, learning, talking and drawing.

Also as imperative, is an acute understanding of a site - we work hard to identify and understand the particular conditions of each and every site, the historical, cultural, topographical, climatic and environmental conditions.

With this information, C–Architecture embarks on a creative and collaborative journey with the client, searching, questioning and testing design responses and solutions, resulting in architecture that is uniquely tailored to not only each clients particular brief but the overall context of the site.  

CAROLYN GUNDY  BArch ANZIA

Carolyn is a Registered Architect having graduated from UNITEC in Auckland in 2000.  She was employed by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects for 7 years, gaining registration as an Architect in 2003.  During this time she gained valuable experience working with both Ken Crosson and Paul Clarke on many exciting residential projects across NZ.

Since shifting her focus to family life in 2007, Carolyn established the practice C–Architecture with her first project being her family home at Piha Beach in Auckland.  Whilst enjoying her young family, Carolyn has worked on a variety of residential projects ranging from small interior works including kitchens, bathroom and cabinetry design, to alteration and addition projects to large residential homes.

Carolyn’s passion for architecture lies in the designing of places within the unique landscape of Coastal New Zealand. Exploring ways in which the many and varied relationships between building and landscape, be it urban, rural or coastal, can enhance and enrich our experience of the everyday, is a continual joy.

Equal to that is Carolyn’s drive to create spaces for people that are sustainable, affordable and full of delight. A believer in small can be wonderful too, Carolyn thrives on the challenge of using the constraints of a tricky site or a modest budget to positively inform a clever and creative design solution.