Architects-ldl’s Creative Architect Director designed this house in the 90’s when he was the Project Architect on Auckland’s Sky Tower. Sympathetic to the environment, designed around existing trees, the house’s footprint is minimized to maximize the outdoor space, while still accommodating three double bedrooms, living, dining, study and internal garage. It’s a lean tall curvy building with an observation style roof deck, projecting outriggers, use of natural materials, deep pile foundations and bridge access, which are all influences from his Sky Tower involvement.

In it's recent modernization, completed in 2019, Sky Tower’s aesthetics shine through again, the new Exotec on cavity cladding panels mimic the tower’s cladding panels and it’s distinctive expressed negative joint detail. It’s new colour palette is tower-esk, the interior has undergone a complete makeover which flow onto new improved outdoor spaces. This renewal has given the house a new life and extended it’s lifespan. It’s new owner’s will have a lot of pleasure and enjoyment living in their new Sky Tower-esk House.

Click here for Architecture NZ feature in 1998

The house owners had no visual or access connection to their large un-utilised rear yard and the style of the house was dated. A pool with a waterfall was introduced as the central visual and entertainment feature. New full width windows and doors and a generous veranda were added.

These roof and window/door elements give the house a modern look and allow the owners easy access to the pool and to dine their friends outdoors. This architectural renovation project is featured in TRENDS

Click here to view the TRENDS feature.

Glass Atrium Addition Improves Performance: The key performance problems with this clients three level East Auckland home were: an overheating sunroom; awkward flow; small living area; no internal access to the lowest level and an unusable garage.

First the sunroom was removed to make way for an extension along the southern boundary to increase the living area space. To access the lower level a new stair was added to an existing concrete patio and a new glass atrium structure was erected over them. The garage was converted into an artist studio and a new Porte Cochere was added to the entrance of the house, which is also where their cars are parked.    

The Atrium’s centrally location has improved the flow between the various living spaces and levels, and the old concrete patio now provides good thermal storage for heating the house. Overheating of the Atrium is mitigated by double glazing and glass tinting, and there are many opening windows and doors for ventilation.

The various additions, regeneration and conversion of space have significantly improved the performance and the clients comfort of this house.

For a little over $200,000.00, this property which started life as a small 1970’s unit has been transformed into a large comfortable modern home. Building a new storey to this house has almost doubled its original floor area and permitted a lot more accommodation.

The unit had just two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small living area, no views, no storage, no separate entrance and dated 70’s brick and tile cladding. Their owners had a clear idea of what they wanted and are now the proud owners of a four bedroom, two bathroom house with views. Visitors are welcomed in a Entry Hall which also houses the stair to the new storey. The open plan living area has increased in size and is fitted out with a new high tech entertainment system. The restoration ensured new storage cupboards were located on each level.

The original brick has been plastered, durable linear weatherboard clads the new storey and the roofing is low maintenance coloursteel. A modern pallet of colours was chosen. What was once a dated 70’s unit is now a stylish 21st century home and all for a very modest sum.