Houzz Tour: Ingenious Garage Helps a Home Keep Its Familiar Face
A historic house with a contemporary addition retains its curb appeal thanks to an innovative approach to car storage
Tucked along a busy residential street in Auckland, New Zealand, a chocolate box of a bungalow conceals a breathtaking secret. Not only is there a sculptural multilevel addition hidden at the rear, but what was once the front bedroom is now a garage with a car stacker. Pretty controversial, you might be thinking? For the architect-owner, however, this cramped site offered a magical opportunity to create a functional family home with privacy, parking and a pool — a feat rarely achieved in the steep volcanic hills of this compact city.
To achieve the facade, Smith explains how portions of the house were carved out while masonry retaining-wall structures were constructed inside to facilitate the car stacker’s installation. “We cut through the joinery and lined up the boards so that, from the front, the facade is seamless,” he says.
More drama unfolds at the rear of the property, where a sculptural 2½-story addition sets a contemporary tone. Smith wanted to combine recycled materials with modern textures, so he juxtaposed the rawness of original bricks from old retaining walls on the site with slick cedar slats to exaggerate the mix of old and new.
“A pohutukawa tree in the garden provided us with the inspiration for the cedar screen,” he says. “The slats are differing widths and are randomly interspersed, referencing the layering of the bark. They also create an ever-changing depth and shading effect.”
“A pohutukawa tree in the garden provided us with the inspiration for the cedar screen,” he says. “The slats are differing widths and are randomly interspersed, referencing the layering of the bark. They also create an ever-changing depth and shading effect.”
At the back of the property, doors peel back to reveal a smooth connection between the indoor space and the outdoor area’s deck and elevated pool. The juxtapositions of textures and materials continue in the living area, where a brick wall contrasts with a custom glass-backed bookcase that reveals glimpses of the kitchen above and the basement below.
“The brick wall extends on to the deck, providing privacy from our cozy-fit neighbors,” Smith says. The bricks make the wall feel less slab-like and reference the original red brick walls sprinkled around the neighborhood, he says.
“The brick wall extends on to the deck, providing privacy from our cozy-fit neighbors,” Smith says. The bricks make the wall feel less slab-like and reference the original red brick walls sprinkled around the neighborhood, he says.
Above the living space, glass separates the building from the brick wall and adds a shaft of light.
The slope of the land means there are various types of views from the house, such as rooftops at the back and the streetscape at the front.
The slope of the land means there are various types of views from the house, such as rooftops at the back and the streetscape at the front.
The interior spaces are long and thin due to the restrictions of the site, so Smith had to find design solutions that boosted privacy and light. The house responds to this using step-downs, half-levels and excavation to gain floor space. The central hallway was retained but widened a little to provide access to the garage, while a lower level was excavated from the original crawl space. It now houses spare bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry and a media room. The renovated house is double its original size, with rooms leading off a central hallway.
The hallway leads from the entrance to the kitchen and dining spaces, which are situated where the old and new parts of the house intersect. A built-in bench extends around the dining area and is softened with black upholstery that mirrors the striking black cabinetry of the kitchen opposite.
“Light and natural materials are important to us, providing a healthy textured environment. Using light timber reflects this philosophy,” Smith says.
“Light and natural materials are important to us, providing a healthy textured environment. Using light timber reflects this philosophy,” Smith says.
Once again, contrasting textures make a presence, with glossy marble tiles, smooth cabinetry and rough brickwork adding interest to the clean, minimalist cooking zone, which includes a hidden pantry.
From the kitchen you can look down to the living space below and the pool beyond.
Alarti marble mosaic tile: Artedomus
From the kitchen you can look down to the living space below and the pool beyond.
Alarti marble mosaic tile: Artedomus
The dining area’s bench provides extra seating when friends and family visit. The walls and decor are simple, allowing the sophisticated woodwork to take center stage.
“This is one of our favorite areas, being the connection between the old house and the new. While people are in the kitchen, this space presents the perfect perch to chat and hang out while awaiting food,” Smith says.
“This is one of our favorite areas, being the connection between the old house and the new. While people are in the kitchen, this space presents the perfect perch to chat and hang out while awaiting food,” Smith says.
As you continue around the corner and up the stairs, the glass-backed bookcase offers views of the living space.
Upstairs, a light and airy master suite provides a luxurious retreat. Dusky grays soften the pared-back room, while contemporary pendant lights add a designer statement.
A separate dressing area is situated behind the master bedroom.
The master bedroom and dressing room have glass louvers to encourage cross ventilation. “Environmentally friendly aspects are always a huge consideration in our designs,” Smith says. “In this house, all the existing timber was reused, whether in the build itself or recycled into other aspects, such as the wall lining or furniture. We’ve also incorporated passive heating and good ventilation.”
A freestanding tub in a ground-level bathroom is practical yet fun — their young son, Nic, enjoys splashing around in it.
“For this space, we used porcelain slabs that look like marble,” Smith says.
“For this space, we used porcelain slabs that look like marble,” Smith says.
Back outside on the deck, an outdoor fire entices guests outside on chilly evenings.
To keep the chimney from looking too slab-like, solid plaster is teamed with bricks. The bricks are smoothed with a mortar that doesn’t hide their irregularity and texture.
To keep the chimney from looking too slab-like, solid plaster is teamed with bricks. The bricks are smoothed with a mortar that doesn’t hide their irregularity and texture.
Looking back, was the hard slog and two-year build worth the wait and effort? “Absolutely,” Smith says. “During the coldest, hardest months of the build, I would remind myself of the outstanding views we have from our home. And now the house works perfectly for us. When everyone is staying, it feels like a mini hotel with everyone in their own space.”
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Jonathan Smith of Matter; his wife, Melody; their son, Nic; and, at times, their extended family
Location: Ponsonby neighborhood of Auckland, New Zealand
Size: 3,229 square feet (300 square meters); five bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect and builder: Matter
The front of this stunning historic home looks untouched, aside from a fresh coat of paint. But on closer inspection, there’s something ultramodern lying beneath the period bullnose veranda. At the touch of a button, the hinged clapboard door opens to reveal a garage, complete with a car stacker.
“We wanted to retain the strong aesthetic and heritage of Ponsonby homes while also combating the issue of parking,” says Jonathan Smith, founder of the architectural firm Matter and owner of the property. “Garaging provision in the traditional sense was impossible on this cramped site.”