Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 2 New Zealand | Page 104
Above and facing page, top: A
result of earlier remodelling work,
the back rooms step down at the
rear. The designer retained this
setup to preserve zoned ceiling
height limitations. A feature wall of
decorative, glazed bricks between
the relocated kitchen and lounge
adds a Moroccan flavour and lets in
natural light and fresh air.
Far right: Another breezeblock wall
provides a bannister and screen for
the new ground-level stair landing.
capture more light and views. Other exterior
work included adding the pool, spa and garden
to the rear, with the updated carport beyond.
The interior remodel, however, was even
more comprehensive. As the house slopes
down from the street, barely visible basement
windows seen at the front become part of a full
ground level at the rear. The kitchen at this level
was removed and relocated above to the first
floor, freeing up space for an expansive games
room and a larger informal lounge with a generous indoor-outdoor connection out to the pool
and garden at the rear. A stair landing was also
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added at this ground level, replacing an unsafe,
overly steep section of the staircase.
Now better positioned a floor up on the first
level, the contemporary new kitchen is central
to day-to-day family life with easy connection
to the reworked dining area and lounge.
“As a result of earlier work, the back rooms
of the home are set down a few steps – and we
retained this tricky configuration to preserve
heritage ceiling height limitations. Playing this
up, we created a visual link between the lounge
and new kitchen using decorative breeze bricks
– allowing light to flow through the rooms.”