PINK PALACE

MODERN HERITAGE

The humble weatherboard home was at risk of being demolished when the architecture practice — whose office is located next door — stepped in to transform it into a dynamic workspace by making a complex series of insertions and additions. Maintaining the building’s heritage identity was crucial. “As Auckland City has grown, the city-fringe villas have been consumed by office space to make way for some questionable architecture,” says Jonathan Smith, Matter’s director.

Project Type: Commercial Office

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Architect: Matter Architects

Photographer: Sam Hartnett

A COMPLETE RETHINK

The building has been re-thought entirely, as a community of efficient and flexible workspaces, each with its own identity. This required significant remedial works to the villa, as well as the development of a pedestal base that allows for a lower ground level, and a three-level extension at the rear. In plan, this extensive set of works is complex, but has the effect of creating fluidity within the structure.

Kitchen details and the Integrated Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer™ Dishwasher

UTILITY AND LUXURY

“We wanted these office spaces to feel very welcoming, with a residential aesthetic both in quality and feel,” Jonathan says. Each workspace has its own kitchen, where utility and luxury materials like walnut and brass combine with integrated Fisher & Paykel CoolDrawer™ Multi‑temperature Drawers and single DishDrawer™ Dishwashers to heighten the kitchens' overall functionality with refined minimalism. “Fisher & Paykel was able to achieve that brief, culminating in beautiful bespoke kitchens for each tenancy throughout the building.”