NZIA 2020 Finalist Waikato Small Project Architecture Award

Dezeen 2020 Longlist Rural Project Architecture

Hugged by the Karangahake forests and the Kaimai Ranges, through the last bridge towards Waihi from Paeroa, this farmland home reminds us of the essence of living simply, the importance of our environment and quiet family moments. It signifies a humble architecture bravely holding its own on the hilltop, a return to our collective necessities of shelter, gathering and freedom.

Warm cross-laminated-timber floors, along with fully lined ply walls and ceiling, create a cosy enclosed atmosphere reminiscent of classic tramping huts. We wanted to create an intimate and easy family home, complete with mezzanine loft space for impromptu friends and family. The ‘outdoor room’ provides a protected interstitial space connecting the Eastern and Western environments, with soft filtered light above, the large barn slider closes you off to a sense of solitude towards the forest below.

Rebelling against wasteful and arduous construction processes, the cost-saving and efficient prefabricated floors, walls and roofs were assembled on-site within only 4 days. The crucial idea of sustainability was further achieved through the carefully selected materials and finishes, weathertight linings, and smart efficient ventilation systems. These ideas continue our increasing awareness towards an architecture that leaves the landscape untouched.

Photography by David Straight

Mangawhai Heads, Northland

There’s a quiet to being ‘up north, at the bach,’ where time seems to move slowly, moments are more intimate, and we are more mindful and present in a rush of relaxation. A home away from home concept where architecture acts unfettered, a shelter to gather, providing us with simple luxuries, a conscious escape from city-life reality into nature.

This family bach hovers slightly on the land, facing north towards the tail end of the Brynderwyn Hills, Hen and Chicken Islands, ‘Big Sand Dune’ at Mangawhai and Little Barrier Island. The surrounding land is cloaked with local Kanuka trees, a dark bark of the Mangawhai Peninsula, mimicked by the exterior dark stained ply cladding and cedar battens rhythmically sequenced on the external skin of the rectangular forms – as if the house is the architectural imagination of the surrounding forest’s collective heartbeat.

Inside, spaces are ambiguous and free-flowing, boundaries no longer exist. We are warmly embraced by familiar ply walls and ceilings, soft concrete and timber finishes. The enclosure is continuously breathing out through large openings of sliding doors and clear roofing. In the outdoor room, the landscape melts inside through the garage-door-sized sectional panels folding up and above you. This open inbetween space reflects the family’s relaxed and carefree way of living, where they spend their days and nights with communal gathering area for big family meals or spontaneous accommodations for unexpected guests.

Our aim was to create spaces where the environment is continuously welcomed into the home, tunnel-vision through the house into the landscapes beyond. Crest house became our interpretation of the essence of the classic kiwi bach, of how spaces can flow with an ease that spark togetherness and slow moments of lazy long weekends.

Photography by David Straight

Hobsonville Point, Hobsonville

NZIA 2020 Finalist Auckland Heritage Architecture Award

Formerly an Air Force Base Headquarters, built in 1939, MAKE have transformed this heritage office into a fresh community hub in the thriving up-and-coming neighbourhood of Hobsonville Point. This new public building is set to provide community focused activities, services and programmes, designed to promote the overall wellbeing and connectedness of the family-orientated Hobsonville Point community.

We were constantly mindful of the importance of retaining the memory of the building, its architectural integrity and Art Deco aesthetics, and its former function of a NZRAF base. In our current age, there is an obsession over ‘newness,’ for demolition, and fast-paced construction. So it was refreshing to design for a harmony of past and present, a design of constraint and purpose, a careful curation of materials and new architectural interventions, that would each pay respect to the heritage context and the incoming intentions for the space.

Previously small offices were opened up, removing concrete walls to create multi-use flexible spaces, supported by new minimal steel cross-bracing unnoticed to the buildings skeleton. As elements were removed, we remembered them by retaining their original locations, exposing the footprints from the past. There was never a desire to conceal the past, but rather accentuate it through contemporary architectural devices.

Both interior and exterior colour palettes were curated in selected tones reminiscent of the NZRAF, in navy and teal, in red and gold, to form an atmosphere of playfulness and communal homes. We aimed to highlight existing decorative elements found on the building’s façade, interior proportions and details. Hidden behind effortless additions of timber panels are upgraded services and clean simple light fittings. Fresh colours were portrayed through acoustic Autex panelling that double-up as durable pin-boards that withstand community use.

We insisted on using products that would further our mission to repurpose an existing building to lengthen its lifespan that would limit its impact on our shared environmental footprint such as Autex panelling and recycled Inzide carpeting. It was important to us that community buildings signify and contribute to our growing collective conscious towards the sustainability of our community values and of heritage architecture.

Photography by David Straight

St Heliers, Auckland
The brief required that the site be subdivided and two similar 300m2 houses be integrated into the triangular site, which features a striking outlook towards the harbour and Rangitoto Island.

Each home is made up of two forms: a bedroom wing, expressed in a dark stained cedar, and a living wing, contrastingly clad in a blonded cedar. The dialogue between these two forms was a theme constantly explored throughout the design process. The darker vertical form acts as the private, less accessible wing, characterised by framed views and vertical slats. The lighter horizontal form on the other hand, is open and accessible, encouraging entertaining and family engagement. The two wings are lightly connected by a double-height recessed entry, which enhances the distinction between the two forms.

Titirangi, Auckland

Set on a ridge in the Waitakere Ranges on South Titirangi road with views to the east and west of the Manukau Harbour. We were approached to design a four bedroom house on a site that had no driveway access over what is classified a “sensitive” ridge in the Planning maps. We undertook the Resource Consent and designed a home that would maximise the features of the site.

There was already an existing area that had been excavated for a rebound tennis court. We used this for a lower level garage with the master bedroom at the opposite end towards the key aspect towards the harbour. Above this we floated the main form which included two living areas, dining and kitchen with access to surrounding decks towards the north and views to the Manukau.

In conjunction with Establish, MAKE have enjoyed designing a new Early Childhood Centre in the Rodney District.

CBD, Christchurch

This small housing development scheme located in Christchurch was a project that held a new kind of challenge within the brief: designing three four bedroom homes which could fit on a site a mere 50.6 x 10.06 metres, whilst at the same time providing on-site parking and adequate living space. Despite this challenge, MAKE strove to create well-designed, liveable homes which strategically made the most of the limited space available. It was vital that these three homes were each individually pleasant environments for the inhabitants, as well as architecturally holding a strong presence upon the streetscape.

New Lynn, Auckland
A key element of the refurbishment of New Lynn Library was a reorganisation of the layout, with shelving realigned to open up the library and create visibility through to the exterior environment. The previously solid bulk of the service desk was lightened through the creation of a new breathable, interactive service zone.

Interior colour selections are a nod to Crown Lynn Potteries, a key part of the local history of the area. Crown Lynn's colour glaze range inspired the vibrant shades of orange, teal and pale blue used throughout the library.

Design inspiration can often find significance from the context and culture of surrounding areas. Located on Hingaia Rd, Karaka, Hingaia Early Childhood Centre pays homage to Hingaia, a Maori chieftainess who lived in the area. The roof and wall cladding drape over the building in a singular form is similar to that of the Kakahu (Maori cloak) and the viewing orientation towards the south-east looks towards Te Maketu.

Henderson, Auckland
MAKE has been instrumental in the design and documentation of repurposing a warehouse that has a long industrial history. We have recognised the innate beauty of the warehouse and we have been careful to accentuate the structural patterns and original forms. This has been achieved by expressing the structure and refreshing the surfaces with a simple palette to continue its historic dialogue.

The new spaces will embrace the community through performing arts, media and hospitality while referencing back to its original industrial function, when serviced the community and the families of those that used to work there. MAKE have been involved through the original planning, Resource Consent and Building Consent documentation phases. MAKE has been intentional about specific detailing to enrich the industrial character as well as making the centre functional for public use with a wide variety of spaces.

New Lynn, Auckland

Under the framework of the PAUP (Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan), MAKE have designed a new three house medium intensity development in the suburb of New Lynn. These three four-bedroom homes are sited on 240m2 lots. The designs respond to the site with private northern courtyards and positive indoor/outdoor connections.

Careful window placement maximises light and warmth yet maintains essential privacy between the adjacent houses. The vernacular forms sit comfortably in the context of the neighbourhood with vertical cedar and bagged brick facades - the brick, a homage to the brick making heritage of New Lynn that began in the 1860s.

Closer to home in Mangere, MAKE has designed a new Gymnasium complex and Office area for EFKS Puaseisei Magele I Sasa'e Mangare East Congregational Christian Church in Samoa.  Working either side of the existing steep triangular geometry, the new forms reference the softer curves of the Samoan fale and timber interior panelling.

Takapuna, Auckland

A new development in Takapuna maximises the potential under the Unitary Plan in removing a single house and designing 4 new Courtyard Houses in place. The house’s living spaces focus towards internal landscaped courtyards surrounded by perforated masonry walls, with glimpses to the “borrowed” landscape beyond yet still maintaining quality privacy between them. Vertical dark timber clad facades add textural richness between spaces, and provide avenues for sunlight to provide warmth.

Titirangi, Auckland

Situated on a narrow site in the western Waitakere Ranges of Auckland, the house lifts out of the contours of a sloping site to take advantage of maximum sun and views across the Manukau Harbour. Simplicity of an economical form was a key to the build programme, as well as maximising the all-weather climate modifier space for play and entertaining in the bush surrounds. A Covered Deck space provides an elevated landscape for the children to play and ride bikes in this bush environment, anevening “Outdoor “ entertaining space for guests.Situated on a narrow site in the western Waitakere Ranges of Auckland, the house lifts out of the contours of a sloping site to take advantage of maximum sun and views across the Manukau Harbour. Simplicity of an economical form was a key to the build programme, as well as maximising the all-weather climate modifier space for play and entertaining in the bush surrounds.

Ligar Bay, Takaka

The Ligar Bay House consists of two pavilions - a guest wing for visiting friends and family, and a private self-contained wing. The access and axis point sits between these two wings - a held, sheltered space with an all-year-round entertaining interior courtyard, for family and friends to gather around the fireplace. 

An extruded canopy of slatted timber enhances the approach to this space - a nod to the filtered light found within our native bush.

Stacking glazed doors connect to a large decked area, stretching along the full length of the house. All quarters are connected to this space, which offers a striking view between the hills out to Ligar Bay. Circulation runs along the southern extremity of the home. From here, the rectangular boxed form of the house is broken by a series of vignette windows, framing the landscape beyond.

The building itself is to be weighted into the landscape, a bold horizontal expanse further enhanced by walls clad in a deep coal vertical shiplap, a strength and boldness softened by honeyed brass joinery and the warmth of the pine walls visible from within.

Karaka, Auckland
The client approached MAKE for a modern design that embraced the setting at Karaka Lakes. The forms are comprised of simple rectangular boxes that filter views and light to suit the functionality of the house. The lower level embraces the site with 3 break-out areas, maximizing the outdoor area and creating sun-traps for various times of the day. The bedrooms and private areas of the house are upstairs with decks. The screen wraps around three sides of the upper floor and is mimicked a board and batten cladding on one side. The circulation is linear through the middle of the house. The entry opens to a double height space with a simple one way stair to the upper level to one side, and then leads to the main outdoor area at the rear of the house. The design palette is a simple combination of pattern and grayscale shades.

Onehunga, Auckland

The clients of a small character bungalow in Onehunga were wanting to extend their home for their growing young family.  At the first meeting it was evident that they valued creativity and design.  The interiors had natural tones and were accented with colour and sculpture.  The house had great character features but only had two bedrooms.  

We approached the extension respecting the beauty of the character while adding the desired spaces for modern family living.  The addition included a new bedroom, a larger bathroom and a open plan living space with kitchen and dining that opened up to the large grassed outdoor area.  Our intention was that the house would feel as though it had been designed this way originally but have the modern functionality of the open plan living with the indoor-outdoor flow.  The symmetry and large opening to a wide, low level deck at the same level integrates the house with the large lawn.  It means that the client can enjoy the beauty of the character home and also benefit from better outdoor living. The build of this project was undertaken by SIKA Homes, and won a Gold Award for Master Builders.

Papatoetoe, Auckland

A project for Auckland Libraries, this design pays homage to the original 1970’s interior architecture/structure and features a bold and playful modern carpet design layout, new service spaces featuring stunning David Trubridge overhead lighting, and customised Service desks. The refurbishment also includes a new Staff kitchen and Meeting Room, along with a refurbished mezzanine Teen space featuring panellised Autex acoustic wallcovering.

Avondale, Auckland

A redesign of the Westie Food Group Offices and Factory in Avondale to accommodate rapid growth of the business related to an expanding product range – La Baguette, Café Style & Westie Pies found in most Countdown & New World Supermarkets. The refurbishment is to include a new Trespa facade to the street front offices, modern office layout, and eye-catching arrangement of coloured horizontal banding inspired by the company's logo. Equally significant is the expansion of the factory itself, which will allow Westie Food Group to be the first pastry premises in NZ to gain the Woolworth WQA rating.

Woodhill, Auckland

A house located adjacent to Lake Kereta on the Southern Head of the Kaipara. The house itself captures stunning views of both the Lakes, as well as encompassing unique year round all weather living spaces.

Set in an environmentally sensitive area, the house is responsive to its unique lake side setting. Approached along a decked boardwalk , visiting guests have time to experience the power of the setting before entering. Two lighter coloured pavilions lift away from the land, with the darker interlinking boxes securing it back into the dune.

The private Bedroom wing is separated from the more public Living wing with a all-weather climate modifier space, and maximum access of northerly sun.

Onehunga, Auckland
An early 1900s cottage was respectfully modernised in this renovation, a new life breathed into the home’s interior and in its interaction with the exterior environment.  

An important element of the renovation was found in a reconsideration of the flow and layout of key living areas within the home. Here the kitchen was relocated during the establishment of a new, sociable connection between kitchen, dining and entertaining zones. This space bleeds out to a new covered deck, where fine underslatting to the canopy offers a filtered light quality reminiscent of the NZ bush.

Blockhouse Bay, Auckland

The interior palette of the Blockhouse Bay Library refurbishment references and evokes memories of the Bay. It speaks of the transition from the land folding around the beach, to the water, which then connects to the Manukau Harbour.

The walls are a lush palette of vibrant colours reminiscent of the Bay on a summer's day - the red of the pohutakawa flowers in full bloom, flax yellowing in the hot summer sun, the varying tones of green within our dense native bush with its filtered light, and finally the murky teal of the bay itself.

Carpet tiles selected for the library were chosen from Interface's Net Effect collection - a collection made from recycled fishing nets, the tile design tracing tidal patterns. Using this pattern, the carpet traces the Manukau Harbour, tracing the water, the shoreline and the land - a lighter tile giving way to darker expanses of water, the Harbour. 

Visitors enter the library through the mouth of the harbour - green and red channel markers on either side, located close to the shoreline. Throughout the library, these bold, bright channel markers work to indicate a series of key areas within the library - including the service desks, self issue, the children's zone. In the Children's Space, the monochromatic palette of the main tiles gives way to a playful array of green, the subtle textural variations adding interest and encouraging interaction.

Westmere, Auckland
Originally the Fife house was a brick veneered bungalow set in a cul de sac in Westmere. The client wanted to modernise the house and its exterior form. The spaces were small and there were no break-out spaces for outdoor use. MAKE approached the design by identifying the key aspects of the site. This included all-day sun at the front of the house and aspects of character. The solution was to push out the front to create a large deck off the front living space. This allowed for an internal garage at the lower level. The new verandah cover wrapped around the front and entry side of the house, creating a new dominant form with a strong horizontal proportion. Internal walls were removed and a large timber stacker door increased the usable living space.

One Tree Hill, Auckland
The Rawhiti house is a character house set in One Tree Hill.  The client had an expanding young family and required a renovation that increased the size of the living space and added a new bedroom and ensuite.  One of the constraints was a recent new kitchen that had been installed.  MAKE worked with the constraint and designed the addition to enhance the character of the house.  One way of strengthening the character was by creating a longer entrance corridor that eliminated the dog-leg circulation.  We wanted to create an addition that looked like the end result was part of the original design, this was the philosophy that informed the design decisions.

On the drawing board

In conjunction with Establish, this new early childhood centre has been designed for 70 children in the heart of Cambridge just outside Hamilton, New Zealand. Inspired by simple and Vernacular forms, MAKE have designed familiar forms and warm and cosy materials where spaces allow for a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

On the drawing board

In collaboration with Establish, MAKE Architects have designed a striking form that traces the landscape and has minimal visual impact to to the road. Blending in with the neighbourhood, the design features vertical timber cladding that enhances a residential feel. This ECE is designed with functional spatial features to accommodate over 60 kids and staff whilst maintaining a strong aesthetic.

Under Construction

This new family home perches lightly at the top of a large hill looking out to Nelson harbour with spectacular mountain and sea views. Designed with family in mind, we took advantage of the site’s height and projected a large deck alongside the house.

This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is filled with warm woods, open living areas and an emphasis on outdoor living. The open plan kitchen, dining and living areas open out to a custom designed pergola that filters in dappled light through cedar battens above. Spanning nearly 8m, sliding doors create a smooth transition between inside and outside, intended for frequent entertaining. Sliding bay windows and built in seating were designed for seamless conversations to outdoor bench seat decking.

The overall form was designed to emphasise the dramtic landscape, with mono-pitch roofs and black facades enveloping warm cedar clad interior deck spaces. Large areas of the interior are lined with cozy white-washed plywood that contrasts with large floor to ceiling sliding doors and extensive glazing.

Inspired by ideas of relaxed family moments of gathering and outdoor living, we are very excited for the next steps for Voon House .

On the drawing board

Inspired by Okaihe, Green Island, an uninhabited island off the coast of Dunedin, with its top half covered by dense dark native forests. This new ECE has been designed for nearly 100 children including staff rooms, offices and a very spacious outdoor area. Planning and orientation was crucial in order to maximise sun paths and minimise noise from surrounding roads, as well as to prepare the neighbouring spaces for potential future developments. Internal spaces have been curated to fit multiple classrooms that have individual access to the large sunny outdoor playspace.

We are looking forward to next steps forward for this exciting project, alongside the team at Establish!

On the drawing board

Inspired by its rural location, this new ECE design features details reminiscent of classic Vernacular Architecture creating a homely familiarity blending in to its surrounding neighbourhood. Accommodating 65 children and required staff offices, we were able to emphasise through the cross floor plan a strong integration with the landscape. The simple cross form is orientated parallel to cardinal points allowing for warm sunny rooms. The welcoming in of natural elements is a strong value here at MAKE, and has been reflected here in the form of planters and pockets of greenery, and providing an expansive outdoor playspace.

In collaboration with Establish, we are excited to see this project come to life with an approved resource consent!