By Gary Todd Architecture
The revitalization and extension of a small isolated cottage set amongst a forest and stream. A composition of restored and contemporary architecture.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
We were engaged to extend and revitalise a small isolated cottage set amongst a forest of trees on the Taieri Plains. The existing cottage included an east facing veranda, two tiny bedrooms, meagre bathroom and toilet room, all connected by a compact kitchen/dining/living space unsuited to cater for large groups of people, but a charming reminder of their forefathers lifestyle 100 years ago. The existing cottage was disengaged with the site and fell well short of the client's needs today. This lead to the decision to reimagine a better use of this private rural location with a new master suite, pantry, large open plan kitchen/dining/living, outdoor deck plus double garage and workshop. There was a desire to retain the character of the existing cottage as part of the new work although it was uncertain as to how it could be appropriately incorporated as part of a larger residence to suit their modern lifestyle. The client wished us to explore a much greater visual indoor to outdoor connection with the blue gum woodlot trees, apple tree orchard and quaint meandering stream adjacent the cottage. Existing shelter belt trees surrounding the cottage were to be retained for privacy to outdoor living space and protection from adverse weather. Materials and finishes were to be low maintenance and of natural colours to create relaxed interior spaces. Construction was to offer a high quality thermal envelope with passive solar design, heating and cooling integral with sustainability as a core principle incorporated into all new work.
CREATIVE SOLUTION
We considered the site setting with respect for the traditional cottage via a contemporary extension and separate garage and workshop with sensitive spatial awareness to maximise the connection of indoor and outdoor spaces to the beauty of the surroundings. We celebrated the existing heritage as part of a new, more integrated composition with modern architecture to juxtapose the traditional timber cottage of solid walls with small windows under a pitched roof. The kitchen was a critical point between the existing cottage and new extension used to create an open and direct connection, defining the transition between the contemporary and traditional aspects. The new architecture references the cottage and the woodlot where the space between becomes a delightful collection of indoor and outdoor light airy rooms. The floating roof references the cottage weatherboards and workshop sliding door. Steel portal frames are clad in cedar with a plywood ceiling and soffit like a tree canopy referencing the wood lot and allowing extensive triple glazed stacker door glazed walls to create the feeling of glamorous camping. Cedar clad interior doors are hidden and integrated with walls. Overhead glazing allows light to filter between rooms and ceilings to hover in the landscape. An insulated polished concrete floor is heated by a boiler fuelled by the woodlot and acts as a thermal mass for solar gain. Photovoltaic panels provide electricity, rain water is collected for reuse, cross flow ventilation and wide roof eaves cool the extension in summer all to the delight of the owners.
For us, architecture is about creating special places in context with their natural and built environment for the enjoyment of people who live in them, work in them, or experience them. Every project, regardless of scale, we consider is a unique opportunity to create something amazing for our client, community and society.
Our architectural practice is humble however operates with confidence because we are experienced in a variety of building types and styles with a proven track record. Our projects vary from Otago to Central Otago, Southland and Canterbury and wider afield than New Zealand to Australia, Fiji and France.
Every project is unique and emerges out of a specific client brief, budget and site that we may challenge and offer options if we consider there is a need to think deeper before proceeding further. These considerations inform the design and build process where our experience on projects to create that point of difference is more likely to be achieved with our valued professional guidance and expertise assisting you as with our many prior clients.
We have been collaborating with our clients, consultants, contractors and councils to provide excellence by offering our trusted experience, innovation and professional guidance to all aspects of a project with vision, planning, documentation, contracts, construction, interior fit out, landscaping and project management from concept to completion as a full project approach under sole leadership to get the best outcome.
We know that each project brings different client requirements and that our response can be to guide that project through a collaborative process to success, whether it is small or large, simple or complex with us as your design lead. The end result is to create inspirational spaces with architecture that could meet and exceed the client and public expectation and be fully in context with the natural and built environment.
Our practice is green minded and actively incorporates innovative sustainable design and construction with an environmental awareness that can contribute to our future. We support ethical and sustainable practices. We believe our architecture can reflect who our clients are and their aspirations.
With the experience of Gary leading the team, we specialise mainly in new or altered residential or commercial projects. We have been involved in over 1000 building projects over more than 25 years and have been acknowledged by over 90 New Zealand Architectural Design Awards in the process which is testament to the quality that you can expect given to each project.