Ridge House by Keshaw McArthur

Following the natural slope of the site, Ridge House is elegantly transformed from a heritage workers’ cottage into a spacious family home, featuring modern, elevated detailing.

Keshaw McArthur draws inspiration from the rich historical context of both the area and the cottage itself, creating a seamless blend of past and present that addresses the functional needs of contemporary living. Through a nuanced approach to extending a late 19th-century cottage within a Special Character Area in Auckland, the designer reimagines the home’s spatial possibilities while honouring its historic charm and the surrounding urban context. “The project involved restoring the original interior footprint with a considered reconfiguration of the sleeping and bathing spaces,” explains Katrina Keshaw, architectural director of Keshaw McArthur. “We then introduced a new extension to the rear of the cottage, creating shared living spaces that seamlessly connect to the garden.” The gentle cascade of spaces flows gracefully throughout the site, inviting residents to move through the house in a manner that feels both intimate and expansive.

The design unfolds in a stepped fashion, opening up views of Maungawhau, with a central theme of binding the various elements on site.

The design unfolds in a stepped fashion, opening up views of Maungawhau, with a central theme of binding the various elements on site. This approach bridges the old and the new, as well as the landscape and the built environment. Extensive glazing floods the interiors with natural light while framing both nearby and distant views. The result is a continuous visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape and the iconic silhouette of Maungawhau – a defining feature of the volcanic terrain. “The building reaches out in dialogue with the land and the volcano on the ridge adjacent,” says Keshaw, highlighting how the home engages with the broader context.

Materiality plays a key role in anchoring the extension within its setting. Raw concrete serves as a tactile base, while two linear walls made of light brick – reflecting the clay-rich earth of the area – create a sense of enclosure and privacy. These brick walls not only ground the design but also mediate the narrow side yards, allowing filtered light to enter the interior while maintaining privacy. The roofline follows the natural slope of the site, with its lightweight form mirroring the existing lean-to structure of the cottage. Inside, subtle changes in floor levels define the layout and evoke a sense of progression as one moves from the entryway to the more private spaces at the rear. “At each level change, we used stairs made from the same earthy brick, reinforcing the sense of groundedness and connection to the site,” notes Keshaw. The interplay between interior and exterior is seamless, with the horizontal and vertical planes of the extension continuing into the garden, effectively blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

The gentle cascade of spaces flows gracefully throughout the site, inviting residents to move through the house in a manner that feels both intimate and expansive.

Ridge House offers a layered experience that honours the history of the site. Keshaw McArthur presents a modern take on the workers’ cottage while preserving a connection to its original form.

Architecture and interior design by Keshaw McArthur. Landscape design by O2 Landscapes.