The existing modest sized weather board dwelling was lacking a ‘heart’, a roomwhere family and friends could gather, hunker down in front of a fire and takeadvantage of the stunning bush views of the bordering Nature Reserve.
The new skillion roofed addition was grafted to the southern end of the existingfirst floor, suspended above but matching the slope of the steep site and existinggabled roof but climbing beyond this to provide internal height and drama to thenew room and an additional kids bedroom above.
The sunken lounge with thick textured carpet and ply clad walls provides a senseof warmth, enclosure and comfort while large expansive windows open up to thedappled light and tree tops outside.The extension of the existing rimu flooring links the old and new internal spacesand creates both a sitting height edge and an elevated hearth for a newwoodburner. It also serves as a platform for impromptu kids productions.
Above a large skylight centred on the room provides distant views of the ridgelineabove and penetration of morning sun.The new kitchen, also skylight lit, is kept light, fresh and reflective with a simplepalette of white and stainless steel while retaining the warmth of the existingrimu floor.
With the clients being a young couple, with two young children and a busy andsuccessful website design company, it was important that the design for the newaddition allowed them to stay living and working in the house while the majorityof the building work was being carried out. This was successfully achieved byconnecting the old with the new very late in the piece and therefore minimisinginterference to their hectic daily lives.