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Designed for the ages from Renovation Trends volume 2607
Everyone appreciates the workmanship inherent in period homes – it's what draws most people to them to begin with. That's why it can be a tough decision when the time comes to renovate: to remain true to the original or to break away completely.
For the owners of this Arts and Crafts-style home, the decision to create a modern addition was relatively easy. However, they also wanted to restore the original structure in the process, says architect Christopher Wilson, director of Wilson & Hill Architects.
"Built in the 1920s, the house had been added to a number of times over the years. Luckily, we came across the original plans, so after demolishing the previous additions, we were able to restore it to those specifications."
A desire for more space and a greater connection to the garden were the driving factors behind the renovation, says Wilson.
"Originally, the home was completely disconnected from the garden. A driveway ran around the house to the detached garage in the rear, effectively acting as a barrier between the house and garden.
"So, as part of creating as smooth a connection from indoors to out as possible, we deliberately kept the design for the addition at ground level. In total, the new building has roughly the same floor area as the original structure, giving the family twice the amount of living space as before."
Externally, the differences between the two structures are more noticeable than the similarities, but viewed from the interior, the transition appears to be seamless.
"Rather than attach the addition to the existing home with a glass walkway or similar transitional device, we designed it so the extension looks as if it has grown out of the original structure."
To achieve this, the exterior wall was removed at ground level and a steel framework inserted to support the upper storey. The new open-plan living and kitchen area was then built around this opening. This means that the kitchen is actually a part of the original footprint, even though it is also a part of the new addition.
"This was part of the appeal of restoring the old house and adding the extension," says Wilson. "The result is a house which has an historic context, but allows the family to live in a modern way. It gives you a framework from which to work, and do things that you wouldn't necessarily do with a new build."
Similarities between the two include the gabled roof form that references the Arts and Crafts style of the original, but has a pared-back treatment in the addition.
"The triple-skin brick facade of the original home has a rather heavy feel, so we made the decision to construct the addition from concrete, to inject an element of lightness to the sense of stability," Wilson says.
Ample glazing adds to the lightness of the construction, as does the raised roof with clerestory windows.
"The clerestory windows provide a different dimension to the light," says Wilson.
"Light filtered from above has a quite singular quality. That's one of the reasons we chose to use uplighting in the ceiling space, so it acts as a complement to the view, rather than a distraction."
Having established an easy circulation between the built and natural environments, attention turned to the garden itself. Much had been reclaimed with the inclusion of a garage in the addition. The sweeping driveway was replaced with a much shorter, circular one, and old outbuildings were demolished, allowing for a lawn area that was far more expansive.
"The owners wanted a house that would be a mix of classic and contemporary, and that encouraged interaction with the garden – the result speaks for itself," says Wilson.
A gabled roof element links this new addition – designed by Wilson & Hill Architects – with the existing home. Dormer windows create another connection.
Much of the garden has been re-established, after greatly reducing the length of the original driveway.
The traditional facade that greets visitors belies the contemporary addition at the rear of the home.
Before construction of the new extension began, previous additions made over the home's 90-year history were demolished. The sunroom, which links to the new structure, was also restored to its former proportions. To ease the transition between the old and the new, the addition encompasses part of the original footprint. This involved removing an exterior wall at ground level and inserting a steel frame to support the level above.
The homeowners asked for a greater visual and physical connection to their garden, which was lacking with the original structure. The new open-plan living area offers floor-to-ceiling glazing, multiple access points and a patio that merges directly with the garden.
Wide-plank oak flooring has been used in the living area as a reference to the traditional materials found in the existing home. A precast concrete fire surround was added to bring a sense of the materiality of the addition inside.
Natural materials have been teamed with a sleek design to provide a kitchen that fulfils the owners' request for contemporary living.
Hot-water radiators have been installed throughout – a traditional approach, which architect Christopher Wilson says provides the best form of heating for the greatly increased volume of the house.
The mirror in the master ensuite is on a sliding track, which allows it to be moved out of the way when the owners wish to enjoy the view from the window.
Credit List
Architect
:
Christopher Wilson NZIA, Wilson & Hill Architects (Christchurch)
Roofing
:
Colorsteel Eurotray roofing
Door and window hardware
:
Sopers NZ Ltd
Wall and floor tiles
:
The Tile Shoppe
Heating
:
Radiators from Central Heating New Zealand; gas fire from Living Flame
Cooktop and ventilation
:
Miele
Story by Justin Foote
Photography by Jamie Cobeldick
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