Project Details
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.
![Outside view of the dynamic workspace](https://www.fisherpaykel.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-FisherPaykelSharedLibrary/default/dwb178b7f3/web-slides/journey-webslides/case-studies/fp_03_00_00_pink-palace-matter-architects-auckland-nz-sh-2796-16x9_glo_2400.jpg)
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Project Type: Commercial Office
Architect: Matter Architects
Photographer: Sam Hartnett
![Exposed-brick detail](https://www.fisherpaykel.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-FisherPaykelSharedLibrary/default/dw6e6b231b/web-slides/journey-webslides/case-studies/fp_03_00_00_pink-palace-matter-architects-auckland-nz-sh-2727-16x9_glo_2400.jpg)
A COMPETE
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](https://www.fisherpaykel.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-FisherPaykelSharedLibrary/default/dw8a489f14/web-slides/journey-webslides/case-studies/fp_03_00_00_pink-palace-matter-architects-auckland-nz-sh-2469-16x9_glo_2400.jpg)
![Wood detail in the office kitchen](https://www.fisherpaykel.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-FisherPaykelSharedLibrary/default/dw091852e7/web-slides/journey-webslides/case-studies/fp_03_00_00_pink-palace-matter-architects-auckland-nz-sh-2706-16x9_glo_2400.jpg)
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 CoolDrawers and single DishDrawers 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.”