Chatswood Renovation

Alterations and additions to a 1990's classic.

Existing Building.
The existing house was built in the early 1990's in a white modernist style associated with places like Miami, Florida, featuring flat roofs, curved walls and large areas of glass blocks. On an elevated site in Chatswood the property had a commanding view back towards Auckland city, the Harbour Bridge and Waitemata Harbour right around to Rangitoto Island, but was in need of updating.

Renovation Concept
Plastered walls of polystyrene cladding were replaced with a combination of vertical cedar weatherboards following the curved lines and charcoal coloured aluminium standing seam cladding as a contrast on some of the square facades and new deck. The dramatic wall of curved glass blocks was kept but the remainder of the windows were replaced with APL's Architectural Series aluminium joinery in black anodised finish. Vertical aluminium fins overlaid some of the joinery for additional sun-screening and privacy. Deck railings were replaced with cantilevered glass.

The original design had living areas on the upper floor to make the most of the views but Swan Railley reconfigured the layout so that it boasts a fabulous entertainer kitchen (complete with butlers pantry) set on oak flooring that continues from east to west throughout the extended living area. A cantilevered outdoor room overlooking the pool below stretches the living areas even further providing more options depending on the weather.

Photos by Mark Scowen