Dated ‘80s house gets a makeover

A dramatic cladding rethink and manipulation of internal spaces, including raised ceilings, has brought this home a more contemporary sensibility

Introducing natural slatted timber cladding brings rhythm, texture architecture, building, concrete, courtyard, door, driveway, estate, facade, garage door, home, house, property, real estate, residential area, roof, gray

A wealth of external glazing was introduced to architecture, backyard, building, concrete, courtyard, design, estate, facade, farmhouse, home, house, interior design, landscape, landscaping, lighting, patio, property, real estate, residential area, roof, room, siding, tree, yard, black

To add further interest to the existing form apartment, architecture, building, design, estate, facade, home, house, interior design, mixed-use, property, real estate, residential area, roof, siding, urban design, gray, black

The focal point of this renovated home's front architecture, auto part, automotive exterior, building, door, facade, furniture, glass, home, house, interior design, material property, real estate, room, tree, vehicle door, window, black, orange

Expansive decking and new slatted timber cladding make architecture, building, deck, design, facade, floor, hardwood, home, house, interior design, property, real estate, roof, room, siding, window, wood, wood flooring, wood stain, black

This comprehensive home renovation sought to re-engage the architecture, building, cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, dining room, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, home, house, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, living room, property, real estate, room, table, wood flooring, gray

Raised ceilings and expanded glazing were just two architecture, bed, bed frame, bed sheet, bedding, bedroom, building, ceiling, daylighting, duvet cover, estate, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, home, house, interior design, laminate flooring, mattress, mattress pad, nightstand, property, real estate, room, suite, table, wall, window, window covering, window treatment, wood, wood flooring, gray

Designed by Michael Cooper Architects

From the architect:

Located in Murray’s Bay, Auckland, this 1980s plaster clad house was in dire need of a re-design inside and out.

With a strong focus on the seamless integration of the house within its immediate environment, the clients requested a contemporary design that utilised texture and rhythm of cladding, with an interior that evoked feelings of light and airiness, emblematic of modern day living.

The design solution resulted in a natural slatted timber cladding that was varied in alignment to best highlight specific features of the house whilst creating texture and depth.

To add further interest to the existing form, an extrusion of the master bedroom defined the internal space externally, while offering another undulation to the staggered street front façade.

Glazing and day lighting were an important design element for this particular project; therefore large windows were employed at any opportunity.

The focal point of the front façade, and central vertical circulation core utilises elongated windows to provide the house with substantial natural daylight.

The use of vertical windows and vertical weatherboards on the exterior of this core divides the two adjoining horizontal elements of the house and delivers a contemporary design.

Internally, the existing ground floor felt restricted and incommodious with low ceiling heights and narrow circulation routes.

The new design sought to re-engage the main living and kitchen area with exterior spaces through the addition of multiple thresholds to the terraced courtyards and side yard, and increased ceiling heights. This provided for generous glazing opportunities.