NZIA Wellington Architecture Award.

Jury citation: “Thoughtful replanning of the interior of an existing character home incorporates the owner’s heirloom furniture and features the subtle re-introduction of ornamentation, which was removed in a previous project. Surface details are considered with practicality and consistency through cabinetry features, trims and motifs. Removal of a wall in the living area, and new skylights over the kitchen bring additional light and volume into an inviting and connected family living space.”

By making a small number of considered interventions, this 1920’s bungalow has been altered to accommodate the living needs of a modern family with young children. Earlier insensitive alterations had removed all period detailing and located the kitchen in the middle of the house leaving it inward facing and closed off.

Parsonson Architects were engaged to make the house more liveable, bring in more natural light, improve the houses interior climate, to create a connection to the exterior and capture the great harbour views.

The position of the kitchen and dining areas were shifted so that they flow out to a paved exterior courtyard, with laundry and toilet located in the middle of the house. The alteration is cohesive in the way it brings the spaces together. The simple palette of materials and textures compliment the period of the house whilst creating the perfect backdrop for modern family life.

The painted timber vernacular style is celebrated with detail added in a modern and considered way, detailed carpentry references the materials used in these early 20th century houses. Simple refined joinery helps define the spaces.

Photography - Thomas Seear-Budd