Herriot + Melhuish Architect completed the villa renovation that located on a small narrow site transformed into a new house with the complete accommodation: a bedroom and office on ground level along with the living spaces; a further bedroom for visiting family; a library; off-street parking; and a north facing entry courtyard.

The design packed this within District Plan constraints by means of a centrally placed upper storey straddling the forms below, which were arranged to provide optimal alignment to north and west. From the street this home reads as a contemporary version of a suburban villa, with the centrally placed windows to the bedroom and a rhythm of zinc sprayed steel verandah posts.

Internally, to accommodate the upper floor within District Plan limitations there is a compressed ceiling height beneath, reinforced with the use of exposed timber LVL floor joists. Instead of ‘open plan’ are created two distinct living areas; the kitchen / dining area for everyday, or the main space for larger gatherings. A natural palette of contrasting materials to the interior includes concrete blocks, polished concrete floor, expressed joists, and timber / plywood joinery, all used to distinguish the special characters of the spaces within the house.

source: Herriot + Helhuish Architect