Built in the early 90’s, this dated 2-storey terrace-style townhouse in a prime waterfront location required complete refurbishment. Body Corporate rules dictated that only the interior could be altered. Our main design objective was to open up the living spaces at the upper level to the full width of the apartment taking advantage of the spectacular harbour views to the north. The existing main bedroom on the south side has been converted to a cosy den, partly enclosed with a steel and glass screen to borrow outlook through the main room to the sea.
Serene, loft-like spaces, enhanced by natural light and soft, modern materiality have been created by lifting the ceilings and bringing natural light into the centre of the floor plan. A key decision was to modify the roof trusses so the original flat ceiling could be raised to the underside of the existing steeply gabled roof, with the addition of skylights over the central landing and adjacent spaces, providing bonus volume for a spacious loft area above the den in the previously unutilised ceiling space.
The calm atmosphere of a sophisticated urban loft has been achieved in the main living/dining/kitchen space, enhanced by wide floorboards and cedar-faced ceiling beams across the full width of the room which mirrors the horizon line directly out to sea. With 2 north-facing bedroom suites at the ground level opening into a courtyard garden and an internal lift incorporated to futureproof accessibility, the overall design has successfully delivered a series of interconnected and flexible, light-filled spaces supporting a range of activities.
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2022 Auckland Architecture Awards Winner
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Click to view the feature in Here magazine
