Bennett House
By Imagine Architecture
Floor area: 257m2
The client’s brief for this site was to create a multi-levelled home which included the use of bleached cedar, exposed masonry and modernist cube forms. The client had an all up budget of $500,000 which was met.
The level front of the site was uncompacted fill up to 8m in depth so to avoid costly foundations the house was dug into the good soil of the existing slope which made it easy to create to a courtyard at the middle level.
The form concept was one of an extruded black box punching through a traditional gable. The black box has been cantilevered to project speed and define the shape. It is clad with vertical Colorsteel “Styleline” to enable a low maintenance solution with strong, sharp lines and features black aluminium joinery.
The gable form cladding is Hermpac Cedar weatherboard with custom profiled corners, barges and fasicas and silver aluminium joinery. The blockwork is sealed with Resene Multishield.
The interior features Hardigroove sloping ceiling and soffits, the use of stained oak timber for shelves, stairs and the feature glazed wall to the office, a Ferva gas fire and stunning polished concrete flooring. The kitchen uses English Tawa, stainless steel and white Corian.
Sustainability features centre on energy efficiency with the house exceeding H1 by 40%. Thermal mass in the form of insulated precast concrete flooring is a key. Materials have been sourced locally wherever possible and the interior timber has been sourced from sustainable plantations. Over half the lights are LED.
The client’s brief for the interior of this home was for a light and airy feel with texture and contrast.
The key philosophy used was to express the building components rather than simply apply decoration. These main components were the polished concrete floor with a salt and pepper grind, the stairs, built in oak shelves, oak and frosted glass office feature wall & door and the kitchen which used clear lacquered English tawa, Corian and stainless steel.
Key to the success of the design was the contrasts in textures such as steel and glass, timber and concrete, stone and fire, tile and carpet.
The lighting was carefully planned in ensuring the fixtures for each space, many of which were LED, were the right output for purpose rather than an oversupply of light “just in case” thus delivering an excellent yet energy efficient result.
A cool grey/green based palette of Resene paints was used for the walls and ceilings to emphasise the light and airy feel and work in harmony with the external light transmitted through the green tinted windows.
The master suite top level features the strong lines of Hardigroove ceilings and a fully tiled en-suite with roof glazing. The existing bed was refurbished and painted to suit the new interior.
The main level stairs feature bead blasted steel which is clear coated for a natural finish, glass balustrade, stained oak treads and stainless steel handrail.
Window treatments were kept within the grey/green palette to compliment the built forms rather than dominate.
Professionals used in
Bennett House
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About the
Professional
Imagine Architecture (formerly Imagine Building Design) is a multi-award-winning architectural design practice established in 2002, specialising in residential and commercial design. With over two decades of experience and more than 1,000 commissions completed, we pride ourselves on delivering high-performance, innovative, and sustainable designs that positively impact lives.
Our journey began in a humble shoebox home office, evolved into historic premises at the Kings Building in New Plymouth, and later to a sleek downtown studio. Now, we have returned to a more personal approach with small studio setups: Tony Biesiek operates out of a studio suite in in Tauranga, while Steven Dixon leads our New Plymouth studio. This agile setup allows us to better serve clients across New Zealand and beyond, with projects extending to Australia and Italy.
At Imagine Architecture, our mission is simple yet profound: “Changing lives through great architecture & design.” We aim to create beautiful, functional spaces that harmonise aesthetics, energy efficiency, and comfort while fostering a deeper connection to the environment. To achieve this, we integrate Passive House principles, with Tony Biesiek’s certification as a Passive House Designer ensuring our designs meet and exceed the highest standards of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and thermal performance. This approach guarantees healthier, more comfortable spaces that consume significantly less energy while reducing environmental impact.
In addition to Passive House design, we embrace biophilic design principles, emphasising the integration of natural elements into our projects. We believe buildings should enhance occupants’ physical and mental well-being by fostering connections with nature, whether through natural light, ventilation, materials, or spatial relationships. Our commitment to sustainability aligns with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt’s philosophy of “touching the earth lightly.” We design in harmony with the land, crafting structures that respect and respond to their natural surroundings.
Our projects, regardless of size or budget, are rooted in a commitment to quality and performance. Meeting minimum building code standards is not our goal—exceeding them is. Whether designing a new architectural home, a commercial space, or a bespoke renovation, we focus on maximising functionality, environmental interaction, and energy efficiency without compromising on design excellence.
Our practice thrives on relationships. Many of our commissions come through referrals, reflecting our focus on creating strong connections with clients. Clear, open communication, combined with exceptional service and innovative design solutions, ensures we meet aesthetic, functional, and financial requirements while exceeding expectations.
Imagine Architecture operates on the belief that better choices lead to better buildings. We embrace cutting-edge high-performance technology and sustainable practices to deliver spaces that inspire, endure, and adapt to the changing needs of clients and the environment. From Bay of Plenty and Taranaki to international locations, geography is no barrier to architectural excellence.
If you are seeking innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally conscious design paired with technical expertise and superior communication, Imagine Architecture is the experienced team to bring your vision to life. Together, we can create spaces that not only look extraordinary but also improve lives and respect the planet.
- Year founded2002
- ArchiPro Member since2015
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