By Mackit Architecture
This two storey weatherboard home suffered from one of the most common afflictions of New Zealand houses of its era – poor insulation. The owners wanted to transform it into a warm, dry, cosy home that they could raise a family in.
Whilst the layout of the living spaces has remained relatively unchanged, the design took advantage of its north facing aspect by incorporating generous amounts of glazing to allow the warmth from the sun to shine in.
The remainder of the upper floor was reconfigured to transform an existing smaller room into a master suite with ensuite and walk in wardrobe. A new entrance area was established downstairs, complete with new stairs leading into the main living space. The existing garage was also extended.
The project included an entire re-roof, kitchen fit out, two bathrooms, repairs to the exterior, rewire, all new aluminium joinery, a complete interior and exterior repaint and of course a full insulation overhaul. The result has all the comforts of a new home and has given a building that was tired and poorly functioning a new lease of life.
You can find out more here and also see a pictorial journey of the project.
“We want to sincerely thank you for all your efforts. You are a true professional and an example for the industry to aspire to be like. We are really impressed with your team, brand, professional persona and creative advice. Not only have you delivered this project on time and on budget, you have clearly explained the process to us and provided invaluable guidance and advice where necessary (both from a design and build perspective). For this we are truly thankful. We hear horror stories about major renovations all the time, but for us it’s been a breeze. We will not use anyone else for any projects in the future.”
Mark & Esther Greer
James Mackie is an architectural designer, predominantly (but not exclusively) servicing the Wellington/Wairarapa region out of his busy Greytown design office. He founded his company Mackit Architecture in 2008, with a goal to fill the niche for bespoke modern homes that can be built efficiently and precisely.
Being a registered designer with Architectural Designers New Zealand and a Licensed Building Practitioner in both design and carpentry, James has a unique edge when it comes to designing homes for discerning clients. Through the application of both his building and design knowledge, he can bridge the gap between complex high-level design and the practical reality of its construction.
Inspired by the effect the built environment has on one’s self, James loves opportunities to enrich existence by creating high quality, beautifully designed spaces. Crucially, James’ incredible building knowledge also means that his plans are always expertly detailed and thought out – essentially he has already built the house in his head during the design process.