86 | Award winning extension The award winning extension included two new stand-alone buildings. T T Kelly Deeks Relationships key to success of projects Architecture Plus Ltd: Glenmorven Studios ARCHITECTURE Architects 44 Wellington’s architecture+ has applied masterful detailing to a unique residential extension project in the rural Wairarapa and been awarded with a 2023 NZIA Wellington Architecture Award for Housing - Alterations and Additions. After architecture+ designed their modestly-sized holiday cabin at Morison Bush in 1998, these clients loved it so much they eventually decided to move in permanently. Their need for more amenity to support fulltime living at the site had them head back to architecture+ for a complementary expansion to allow for a second bedroom and bathroom, a workspace studio, and a garage and laundry. Architecture+ has delivered a solution that allows for full appreciation of this beautiful bush-clad setting on an elevated north-facing slope above the Ruamahanga River. With two new and completely stand-alone buildings connected only by cleverly designed outdoor circulation linkways, these residents are putting on their gummies and raincoats and getting out amongst their environment as they move between the three spaces. “There is a workspace in the new studio that clients visit so it was important to separate it from where the couple lived and slept,” says architecture+ director and project lead Stuart Gardyne. “Also the bedroom and bathroom in the new extension is for people coming to stay, so with separate buildings, everyone has their own space.” Permanent living required a laundry which the original cabin didn’t have, and more storage for all those sundry items we like to live with. Architecture+ provided both of these with a 40sqm garage. “These studios have been influenced by the form, scale, and material palette of the cabin, as well the established approach to the landscape,” Stuart says. “ The new additions draw from this established dichotomy of solid and heavy versus ephemeral, light, and floating, with the concrete block garage firmly anchored within the courtyard, and the new timber-framed studios cantilevering beyond it.” Built by the highly recommended Sam Edridge and Edridge Construction, these clients waited for him to be available to build their extension. “Because honest relationships, his regard, and his great team of helpers were favourable, which is the way it should be in construction,” Stuart says. “You are spending a hell of a lot of money so good working relationships are important. That’s absolutely the way you want it to be.” Architecture+ is proud of this project and of the award that came after. Stuart says awards are always partly a recognition of the quality of the project, and partly a recognition of the architects involved in it by their peers. “It’s also a great way for the public to get some insight into some really good projects and what’s possible.” T T Kelly Deeks In a rapidly changing construction industry, Architects 44 is experienced in delivering every type of project in Te Tairāwhiti, with a comprehensive service and end results that address the functional and technical requirements of the project, as well as the building’s cultural and human needs. From the sunny shores of Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Architects 44 delivers a diverse array of buildings from the largest commercial projects to the most intimate residential renovations. Whether it’s a redevelopment of a traditional marae, a restoration of an historic church, a commercial office building, a hospital, or the creation of a modern learning environment for the local rangatahi, Architects 44 approaches every project with an open mind and no presumptions. “The important thing for our office, and for anyone doing architectural work, is to have a deep understanding of the client, the way they live and the way they work, before you start on a project,” says Architects 44 director James Blackburne. “Every one of our clients has slightly different ways of doing things, and every site is different as well, with each having it’s own prevailing wind or a different orientation to the sun, fall of the land, or flow of the people, and for Architects 44 it’s important to have an understanding of those relationships. “We are here to help people and build relationships,” says Architects 44 director Daniel King. “For us, the relationships are key to the success and the enjoyment of the project. It’s why we come to work every day. We form strong relationships and we always try to do the best for our clients.” How that is achieved has changed a lot since the early days of Architects 44, whose roots in Te Tairāwhiti go all the way back to the 1950s, and even in the past couple of decades as the construction industry is overhauled with new legislation and upgraded codes. “When we were a smaller firm, we needed to be a jack of all trades,” James says. “As we’ve grown, and the industry has become more complex, and the number of jobs we’ve done and the scale of those jobs has expanded, we’ve evolved into a position where we find the need to be more collaborative with other specialists. The combination of our expertise means we can deliver compliant, efficient, functional, and stunning long-lasting buildings that will serve the people of Aotearoa for many generations.” As well as legislation, climate change is having a dramatic effect on the construction industry and product innovations are always underway to help with both. Daniel warns there is a high risk to early adoption, and even some ancient construction methodologies can still work today. “Sometimes we’ll get more efficiencies by doing the tried and tested rather than the new and improved,” he says. Keeping things simple helps a lot too. “Everything has to be carefully considered. We have seen some great innovations from the rapidly evolving concrete industry, which has been a primary contributor to CO2 emissions traditionally. There are also great innovations out there with timber, like our local manufacturer in Gisborne Wood Engineering Technologies and its breakthrough product Optimised Engineered Lumber, sustainable, lightweight, and strong product with a big future in 21st Century construction.” Sustainable design is common sense design he says, and while various sustainability programmes can add extensive and expensive monitoring and reporting to a project, being smart about early design decisions, construction methodology and material choices will help many projects to reach really good levels of sustainability without the perceived ‘burden’ of proving and validating their sustainable targets. James, Daniel, their co-director Rachael Spriggs, and the rest of the large and dynamic team at Architects 44 take their responsibility to their company and their community seriously. “We’ve been here a long time and our community knows us and trusts us - we have a responsibility to make Te Tairāwhiti better together.” Congratulations Architecture Plus! It was a privilege to be involved in such a special project. 027 9214 865 sam@edridgeconstruction.co.nz Wairarapa based Brick & Block laying team 021 043 2975 info@cornerstonebricklaying.co.nz FROM BRICK TO BLOCK WE DO THE LOT! THE BEST AIR IN GISBORNE. Thermisol are your Heating and Cooling Experts. Air Conditioning Sales & Service Jared Gillies Ph (06) 867 9023
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