| 97 ARCHITECTURE T T Karen Phelps Wallace Architects Ambitious renovation recognised New Hyspan floor structure was left exposed after careful preparation by the owners. The Raffills House project, built by Michael Ross Builders, reimagines a single-storey home perched on a south coast hilltop. Call 021 676 746 021 676 746 | Wellington | www.rossbuilding.co.nz Wellington house builders specialising in new homes, renovations, commercial builds, and shop fit-outs. 100% NZ owned. Te Whanganui a Tara architectural practice Wallace Architects Ltd has been recognised for its innovative transformation of a 1990s pole house into a striking home with versatile, multi-purpose spaces. The Raffills House project, built by Michael Ross Builders, reimagines a single-storey home perched on a south coast hilltop. The project was acknowledged at the 2025 New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington Architecture Awards winning in the Housing - Alterations and Additions category. “We focused on creating secure, sheltered spaces that engage with the dramatic site while adding spatial depth and richness that was absent in the original house,” says Liz Wallace, director of Wallace Architects. “The challenge was to accommodate significant additional space requirements without expanding the footprint, given the limited flat land and close neighbouring properties.” The ambitious renovation created an upper level to accommodate a Butsuma (prayer) room for Buddhist gatherings, a master bedroom suite and an office. The subfloor basement was transformed into a home brewery making use of previously unusable space. The original home, located in Houghton Bay (known in te reo Māori as Haewai, meaning ‘light reflecting on water’) presented numerous challenges, not least its exposure to powerful southerly winds and harsh coastal conditions. “Previously the owners would occasionally need to retreat from their southern bedroom to a more sheltered part of the house during severe storms,” explains Liz. “Our design needed to not only enhance resilience but also create spaces that feel safe and protected.” The project’s sustainability credentials are particularly noteworthy with extensive material reuse throughout. The existing cedar cladding was carefully removed and processed on-site into a new tongue-and-groove profile and repurposed for soffit and entry wall linings. Removed pine decking was stored for future use as sauna cladding and subfloor palings. “The builder’s expertise allowed for efficient on-site processing, minimising costs and risks,” says Liz. “The owner then sanded and pre-oiled the timber before installation. Short lengths were used, eliminating the need for new material and generating virtually no waste.” New Hyspan floor structure was left exposed after careful preparation by the owners. The exposed Ecoply flooring underside removed the need for additional ceiling linings and battens, enhancing the structural aesthetic and together with exposed steel beams creating a sense of robustness, says Liz. To address the site’s exposure to strong winds, the eastern deck was extended with an overhead structure and full-height windscreen, providing shelter and maximising the dramatic views of Te Raeakiaki Pencarrow, Orua-Pouanui, and the ever-changing activity of the nearby Wellington Airport. The recognition comes as Wallace Architects celebrates nearly two decades of practice. Founded in 2007 by Rochelle Tse and Liz Wallace, it is now directed solely by Liz, who grew up in a culture of architecture with an architect father and draughtsperson mother. “Architecture seemed inevitable for me,” says Liz, who graduated from Victoria University in 1997 with honours before gaining experience at one of Auckland’s top architectural practices, Pete Bossley Architects. “Setting up my own practice with Rochelle, my long-time university friend, was a dream come true.” Since its establishment, the practice has built a reputation for award-winning projects and has been featured in numerous publications. It has specialised in creating unique residential renovations and new homes that celebrate a relaxed yet sophisticated way of life while honouring New Zealand’s natural landscape, the Raffills House project being a classic example of the firm’s philosophy.
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