Neil and Kathy wanted a house and they bought this one and asked us to extend it. A pool and a large garden sit above the ground plane and so your eye looks across the garden like you are in a low boat looking at water. It is a restful sensation. This entire house is about rest

The project consisted of alterations and additions to an existing Californian Bungalow on the north shore. The use of the existing building allowed us to both utilize the integral fabric of the building in order to maintain the existing streetscape whilst providing for the architectural cues for a new insertion into the building.

The design acts to formalise the existing ramshackle planning, removing the extraneous elements from site and presenting a formal series of layered spaces to the rear of the property. The transition from private (internal) to public (external) was carefully considered as the layering of the internal/external transition was paramount in the brief from the client; requiring various experiences of shelter and privacy.

The western-red cedar windows, sliding doors and verandah ceiling were constructed on site by the builder, and this allowed for open discussion between the builder and architect.