Highlight House

Highlight House is situated one house back from the corner of Captain Cook Crescent, with the new entry pavilion joyfully visible from the important avenue. The original 1960’s brick veneer house had been altered and extended a number of times over the years, but still retained core volume and compositional elements typical of the modernist period. The challenge was to clarify and strengthen these elements while reworking the entry and main façade of the house. A new entry extension, arbour and expansion of the chimney volume has been created, with the roof line of the entry kicking up to make a considered sculptural quality at the entrance. The new entry is separated by glazing and a feature gutter that guides water into a water pond and landscaped front garden.

Internally the project involved reconfiguration of some internal spaces including the demolition of internal walls, relocation and renovation of the kitchen dining and living areas to create a more spacious home while remaining largely within the existing envelope. The kitchen was relocated, reorienting the living areas to create greater connection out to both east and west entertainment areas and views to the street. Raising the ceiling in the formal living/entry area provided an opportunity to slip northern light in at high level over the top of the garage and provide views to the sky. This use of high-level light and triangular windows continues in the corner window above the front entry door which creates a counterbalance to the window in the dining area. The project also included an upgrade of the existing laundry, replacement of doors/windows and generally improvement of circulation.

While working on a considered architectural design solution we addressed opportunities to increase the energy efficiency and liveability of the house, with good cross flow natural ventilation, increased insulation in all new walls and retrofitted under the floor and in the ceiling as well as increased solar access from the north and east. The lifestyle and usage of the house over the long term was considered as well as options for staging construction works to allow the clients to remain in the house during construction. A surgical approach to the alteration and renovation of the existing house was taken get the most impact from a modest budget.

The client’s extensive collection of artwork and objects brought back from the middle east during diplomatic work was incorporated into the both the exterior and interior details. A custom design pattern was developed with handmade terracotta tiles incorporating feature glazed tiles brought back by the client from the middle east. This use of strong pattern is evident in each of the major spaces with the splashback tiles in the kitchen, floor tiles in the laundry and entry areas as well as the use of the fabric also from the middle east in the banquette seat at the entry. These crafted elements and the attention to detail bring a richness to the project and enlivens important memories.

“We knew we wanted to change the entrance to our house, to give a more open “feel” and make the awkward living spaces more usable but had no idea how. The design has given us a living room we now use frequently and enjoy being in. The creation of a new entrance room with inside steps into the main body of the house was an inspiration. Lifting the ceiling in this area and adding a high-up, triangular, east-facing window gives the entrance, living and kitchen areas a bright, airy feel, especially on winter mornings. We love it.” Rob Whelan “We knew we wanted to change the entrance to our house, to give a more open “feel” and make the awkward living spaces more usable but had no idea how. The design has given us a living room we now use frequently and enjoy being in. The creation of a new entrance room with inside steps into the main body of the house was an inspiration. Lifting the ceiling in this area and adding a high-up, triangular, east-facing window gives the entrance, living and kitchen areas a bright, airy feel, especially on winter mornings. We love it.” Client