Business at the Front...

Business at the Front, Party at the Back reimagines a traditional Auckland bungalow for contemporary family living. While the original character of the home is retained at the street, a carefully considered addition opens the rear of the house to create generous living spaces centred around entertaining, connection and the garden. The design celebrates the contrast between old and new. The heritage frontage maintains the home's relationship with the neighbourhood, while the rear unfolds into light-filled open-plan living that connects seamlessly to a landscaped outdoor entertaining area, swimming pool and cabana. Large sliding doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, allowing family life to extend effortlessly into the garden. Natural materials, refined detailing and a restrained palette create interiors that feel calm, warm and timeless. Every element has been carefully considered, from bespoke joinery and generous storage to flexible family spaces that adapt to everyday living as easily as they do to larger gatherings. The outdoor spaces are equally important to the architecture. The covered cabana, outdoor kitchen and pool transform the backyard into an extension of the home, creating a destination for entertaining throughout the year while maintaining a strong visual connection to the interior. Business at the Front, Party at the Back demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can preserve the charm of an existing home while delivering the openness, flexibility and indoor-outdoor living expected of contemporary New Zealand architecture. It is a home that respects its past while embracing a new way of living.