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.
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Project Type: Commercial Office
Architect: Matter Architects
Photographer: Sam Hartnett
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.
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.”
