The Grater Street Residence is a large house on a compact site (337 sq m) located in the leafy suburban neighbourhood of Maori Hill in Dunedin.

The main entry is at street level and opens up to a central double-height foyer with a feature staircase. This staircase links the three distinct levels within the house; teenage boys on the lower floor, family living in the middle, and the master bedroom plus study on the upper level.

An important design focus was to give the house a feeling of spaciousness, whilst also maintaining privacy from the immediate neighbours. The shape and placement of windows is used in a variety of different ways, ranging from large windows for sunlight and distant views, contrasting with narrow windows providing a glimpse back to the street and natural light.

The living level is comprised of two large volumes that intersect at a recessed balcony. This private balcony allows the living spaces to open out on sunny days, and also helps bring sunlight, and a feeling of spaciousness into the heart of the house. The upper level has stunning views from every room across the neighbouring rooftops to the greenery and distant hillsides beyond.

A restrained palette of interior materials imbues the house with a calm and contemporary refined spatial quality; American white Oaks doors and floors, black aluminium windows, dramatic black kitchen joinery and high quality paint finishes on soft white walls.

The elevations are carefully articulated to break down the mass of the house, and have a degree of complexity and detail, particularly on the street facade.