The Garden Room
2023
Typology: Alterations & Additions
Completion: 2023
Location: Hamilton
Builder: Mackay Construction
Photographer: Simon Wilson
Transforming a 1920s-era home into a harmonious blend of history and modernity, this project introduces a contemporary outdoor space seamlessly connected to the existing structure. Initially confined and lacking outdoor living, the home now embraces an enclosed living area on the eastern side, extending from the kitchen and dining spaces. Designed for year-round use, the addition features a terracotta tiled roof, matching the entry roof, providing shade in summer. Custom steel and glass pivot doors block westerly winds, while a fireplace, clad in reclaimed bricks, ensures warmth during winter. This revitalized oasis along the Waikato River in central Hamilton artfully merges tradition and modern living.
This beautiful addition to the original 1920s home honours heritage while providing a contemporary outdoor living space that connects with the surrounding landscape. The thin-profile pivot-steel joinery adds an elegant windbreak, reminiscent of traditional glasshouses and conservatories. The introduction of the skylight to draw light deep into the kitchen and dining room is a well-considered decision that creates a distinct separation between old and new, visually integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces and enhancing functionality.
- Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects