Architectural Renovation in Merivale
During our years of collaborating with design teams, we’ve learnt that architects tend to approach house additions in one of two ways. Either they seek to maintain a consistent look with the existing structure – effectively match it – or they opt to do something completely different.
On this project, it was the former. Our client’s home was designed by world-renowned architects, Warren and Mahoney. The home includes unique design features where the floor spaces connect through link ways, and gable ends that are inverted in the flashing design. Our client loved the existing architecture and wanted to preserve the beautiful design – what they needed was more space.
The challenge for us was clear yet complex. LM Architectural Builders were asked to extend the existing lounge and patio, and construct a second pavilion that replicated the size, design and look of the original. The new pavilion would run parallel to the original, separated by the patio, and needed to look like it had always been there.
The work was designed by Johnstone Callaghan Architects, who introduced us to the client. Johnstone Callaghan did a great job creating a design that neatly ties in with the existing home, while introducing new features,
The new lounge extension flows seamlessly from the original kitchen area which includes concrete floors with underfloor heating. The pavilion includes a bedroom and ensuite that is accessed via a linking corridor from the lounge. Sliding doors open to an extended patio with a barbecue and fireplace, setting the scene for an intimate dining experience between the pavilions.
Merging old with new was a fun and tricky challenge. We put serious thought into how to bring the architect’s vision to life. We studied the plans, visited the site, tweaked the design details with the architect and built an addition that looks identical to the original home.
We worked with existing fixed heights on the addition, and matched the original Timaru bluestone paving when extending the outdoor patio. We created an elegant drainage solution below the pavers to ensure the dining experience wouldn’t be interrupted by functional elements like exposed drain grates. Internally we ensured new finishings matched those used in the home.
We discovered the custom-made carpet (from Australia) had a 15-week lead time, and planned accordingly to minimise the impact. We delivered the project as close to our original timeframe as possible.
Site access was a major challenge on this build. The project was located at the back of the client’s section, with a one-metre wide path providing the only access to the site. Our team managed to transport all materials and fill in and out of site via a conveyor belt set up between the house and the boundary.
Our clients lived on-site throughout construction. We know it’s not easy having builders outside your kitchen all day, knocking at your door every morning. Our clients trust us to put the right people on the job, a team who will respect their privacy and space, leave a tidy site at the end of each day – and enjoy some good chat too.
We are stoked with the client’s feedback, especially when she told us we’d left the house cleaner than she’d ever seen it. We take our finishing touches seriously – and hearing the client was pleased with not just our team’s workmanship but our conduct also felt pretty good.
