Sharp Deck Addition
By Imagine Architecture
With a summer climate that brings fierce sunshine, the odd rain shower, blustery winds and increasingly busy lifestyles most of us cherish every moment we can get to relax and enjoy being out of doors. With such a truism the need for covered outdoor living spaces to extend our homes and our relaxation time has never been more important.
For these very reasons this client’s brief was to provide a large covered outdoor living space along the north façade of their 1950’s weatherboard home to accommodate large family gatherings and connect them to the bushy outlook to the west whilst providing protecting from the prevailing wind…a westerly. Add to that a touch of resort like luxury!
As the existing home had undergone recent interior remodelling and repaint a philosophy of “touch the existing house gently” was adopted. Further instruction from the client was their express desire for the use of timber, visual integration with existing home and for the design not to cause the space to overheat yet leave everything light and airy. The slider doors to the front of the house were also the main access so the space had to also perform as a front porch and provide easy access directly from the parking area and garage.
The design solution was to pitch a reverse lean-to canopy gently touching the existing roof and then opening up towards the north sun and bushy views. The front of the canopy is supported via glulam beams on a series of painted weatherboard wing walls which provide an orderly sub-division of spaces. The longitudinal beams are connected to the house and wing walls through carefully detailed and engineered stainless steel pin fixings. With the connections being minimal the roof floats atop the space.
The roof itself is constructed from cedar rafters and purlins with light weight polycarbonate clear roofing providing UV protection whilst allowing light to permeate the space below through the narrow purlin spacing’s.
The screening of the deck from the street is addressed via a higher, more solid wall around the recessed spa pool. Lower seats and planters edge the rest of the deck with wide steps directing visitors to the main door. The westerly breeze is managed with the use of bifolding cedar louvre screens which can be opened and closed to suit. To ensure sun into the living room a glass roof link connects the main canopy with the house
This project is all about the details such as extended rafters, tapered beams and planter boxes set off from the wing walls with uniform negative gaps. The decking is Purple Heart in the Hermpac watershed profile. The project is completed with LED lighting and an integrated blue-tooth sound system.
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Sharp Deck Addition
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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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