Contemporary classic

Northcote Point I Auckland

A rundown rental property in Northcote Point, Auckland has been crafted into a dream home for an expat couple returning to New Zealand to raise a family.

What started as a simple, budget sensitive bedroom makeover and extension to the rear of this 1913 bungalow soon grew into a complete overhaul. “We uncovered a lot of issues as we prepared for the extension. A huge amount of work was required to level and straighten the 110 year old floors, walls, and roof,” says Alastair Gair, from Warwick Gair Builders Limited.

Sharing a passion for preserving historic homes, Alastair and the homeowners worked together closely to balance the classic with the contemporary. “The clients were determined to honour the original home, so design, profiles, materials, and colour choices were pored over carefully, all the while watching the budget,” says Alastair.

New kauri flooring and joists were sourced and machined by Alastair and his team to match the original style. “That, and the new timber joinery, were money well spent,” says Alastair. Mismatched skirting and architraves were standardised in the bungalow style, decorative ceilings in the bedrooms were restored, and weatherboards were stripped, repaired and repainted to match new cladding.

Traditional bungalow features prevail with Alastair painstakingly recreating the character façade to replicate the original kauri profile. Intricate balustrade curves and handrails were hand-crafted in the outdoor entertaining area, integrating the new extension and multilevel decking to the backyard.

“These are the kinds of projects I love: taking tired homes and injecting new life into them.”