100 | Cottage’s early 1900’s style rejuvenated Richard Loader Built in the early 1900s, the cottage was a rare and well-preserved example of the use of hollow-core stoneware blocks. LIFESTYLE Summerset Group Holdings The meticulous restoration of Clark Cottage, a Category 1 Heritage building at Summerset Monterey Park retirement village in Hobsonville, has earned Summerset Group Gold in the under $2 million category at the 2021 New Zealand Commercial Projects Awards. Built in the early 1900s, the cottage had been in a state of disrepair but carried technological significance as a rare and well-preserved example of the use of hollow-core stoneware blocks patented by TE Clark, the cottage’s first resident. The hollow-core blocks were the first of their type in New Zealand and would have been a real labour of love to create in their day. The cottage’s historical significance resulted in a six-month long process to obtain building consent. While preserving the historic features and character of the building, the cottage has had 77% structural improvement with substantial portal frames inserted for seismic support, without being visible. The original interior was in poor condition and replacement finishes were carefully chosen to ensure that it was in keeping with the original architecture. The interior work included careful restoration and the sympathetic re-creation of period detailing. Stunning Art Nouveau ceilings were carefully restored and painstakingly repainted. While Summerset Group carried out the project utilising its own internal design and construction teams, it partnered with DPA Architects for the architectural work, and Wishbone Ltd for much of the carpentry elements. “To have restored the cottage to the level that we have was very time intensive but it has come up very well,” says Dean Tallentire, Summerset Group’s Construction Manager. “The cottage can now be shared and enjoyed by the Summerset residents and community. Summerset residents and their families regularly use it for morning and afternoon teas, birthdays and other special occasions. “There’s a lovely piano in there, which gets used quite regularly, and there’s also a nice kitchen so cakes and other treats can be heated up. Historians visit the building quite regularly because they love the finished article.” Proud of its achievement at the Awards, Summerset Group was moved to enter the awards because the cottage is a very special building along with its national significance as an historic building. The judges commented that Summerset was focused on achieving a result that preserved and enhanced the character of the building while making it fit for purpose. ‘The result of this project is a warm and inviting building that is now strengthened and restored for a long and useful life, taking pride of place in a commanding Hobsonville Point location.’ “It’s part of New Zealand’s heritage,” says Dean. “We wanted to make sure that the building was recognised as were the efforts of the team that carried out the restoration. Ultimately when you visit the cottage and see the residents enjoying it, that is what brings true satisfaction.”
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