Woodside House Mt Eden

CONTEXt

This refurbishment of a transitional villa, rationalises and upgrades the main indoor and outdoor living spaces of the house, improving the outdoor connections and creating a beautiful family living environment.

DESIGN

The concept of "Whanau" is of prime importance and the house regularly plays host to a large extended family and their friends. The generosity, ease and intimacy of the owners is clearly expressed in the building that houses them, facilitating their all-inclusive lifestyle.

Re-locating an existing studio building to the rear of the site, as a counter-point to the main house, created an open courtyard between the two buildings, improving sun and outlook for both buildings.

A 1980's kitchen, dining & sitting area was totally reconstructed into an open-plan room with a simple galley kitchen arrangement. Large sliders extend the space via broad steps to the new terrace, outdoor fireplace and BBQ area, and beyond to the lap pool, garden and studio. An overhead operable louvre system above the terrace provides full or filtered light and rain protection.

The master suite, an exercise in space saving, utilises a bedhead room divider as wardrobe and bathroom screen, wall mounted storage and bathroom fittings and duckboard shower floor concealing a bath below.

NZIA Resene Local Award Winner 2005 Jury Citation

A sensitive and contemporary alteration to an existing villa in Mt Eden. The addition reworks the existing internal spaces and modifies the rear of the villa to create a warm and inviting homely environment. A studio building is relocated to provide a usable back yard for entertaining and recreation. Contemporary materials and finishes complement the existing house in a fresh and vigorous manner.