Fairy-tale transformation

Take one original 1970s house, strip it bare and start again that was the recipe for this renovation project in Christchurch.

Designed by Terry Duff of 3 Architecture, a member of Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ), the house is scarcely recognisable from its original state. Gone are the exposed rafters, ranchsliders, built-in furniture and red-brick veneer. Today, the house is effectively a new, contemporary family home, with a spacious, open-plan interior better suited to modern lifestyles.

Duff says the new facade disguises the existing gabled roof line, instead presenting a distinctive, linear form, and a more dramatic entrance.

"The entrance needed to make a strong design statement, hence the symmetry and the water feature beside the door," he says.

With 23 new, concealed steel beams, the house now has a much larger living area, and wide openings to a cantilevered deck. Sandblasted glass balustrading helps to focus attention on the sea and city views above the neighbouring rooftops.

Duff says the entire interior, including a self-contained flat on the lower level, was gutted and remodelled. The existing kitchen was also moved from the west to the east side of the house.

ADNZ members are specialists in architectural design, construction and renovation. They can initiate and complete a building project from conception through to final certification. In addition to holding recognised professional qualifications or having relevant experience, members undertake compulsory professional development, and are required to meet ADNZ competency standards. They are also bound by the ADNZ code of ethics.

For details, contact ADNZ, phone (03) 343 3080, fax (03) 343 3084. Website: www.adnz.org.nz.

To contact 3 Architecture, phone (03) 365 1333. Website: www.3-architecture.com.

Story by: Trendsideas