Bungalow renovation Mt Eden

The Brief and Site Context

Designed for a family of two professionals and four boys, this project involved the alteration of a 1920s character bungalow in Mt Eden. The home had undergone multiple disjointed additions over several decades, leaving the layout disparate and lacking natural light. The upper floor and lower floor were connected by a tight Dutch staircase, which left the lower level disconnected from the main living areas, while the existing kitchen space was cramped and restricted.

The Central Stairwell and Light

The design solution replaces the original tight stairs with a new, centrally located stairwell at the heart of the house to cleanly integrate the two floors. To solve the issue of darkness within the deep floor plate, skylights were positioned directly above this stairwell, drawing natural light down into the lower level. This lower footprint was reconfigured into a dedicated zone for the children, containing bedrooms, a bathroom, and a central living space.

Spatial Flow and Garden Connection

On the main floor, the tight kitchen was expanded and opened up into the dining area to remove internal barriers and improve daily functionality. New French doors were installed to establish a direct connection between the primary living rooms and the garden and terrace. The alteration rationalizes the ad-hoc layout of the past, using clear vertical transitions and strategic glazing to provide distinct areas of privacy and family connection.

Published in Homestyle Magazine — Oct/Nov 2011.

Share

---