A Sheathed Sleeve – Green Walls and Gables by Matter

Extending the original bungalow framework, Green Walls and Gables utilises the geometric guides of the original home to extend a sheathed sleeve outward and expand the available footprint. Matter takes cues from the typical contemporary vernacular to create open and shared family zones, emphasised by visual connection.

Located in Auckland’s inner Westmere, Green Walls and Gables sees the expansion of an inherited bungalow style home to allow for the expanded needs and flexibility of its young family of five. While the original roof was removed, a nod to the existing peaked gable form sculpts the new sleeve that blankets the home and extends lengthways deep into the site, both gaining additional living space and opening the home at its heart. The revised extension allows for the retention of the existing home and its framework to be repurposed, while extending and expanding the overall footprint to address and engage the rear landscape. Matter combines a reuse and restoration methodology to create meaningful connections within the site bounding edges, optimising its potential.

The revised extension allows for the retention of the existing home and its framework to be repurposed, while extending and expanding the overall footprint to address and engage the rear landscape.

Built by C&C Renovations, Green Walls and Gables makes use of the limitations of a heritage home and through careful interventions opens up to create a useable program of spaces. Under the extended roof form, elements have been selectively removed and opened up to hint at the movement into the home, while also allowing for privacy within. Timber vertical battens create a screening affect across windows, concealing the internal from approach, while allowing filtered natural light inward during the day. The bold and striking form brings disparate elements on site together with a renewed purpose and shared materiality.

Idyllically located, the rear garden faces north, and through a revised address the home is able to open its shared living, dining and kitchen areas out on to the yard, pool deck and terrace spaces. While the extension adds volume to the rear, it also elevates the home upward, adding another level in the process. The overall process of simplification extends to the material and select finishes, which draws the various areas together through a cohesive and strongly monochromatic approach. Timber, although dark, adds a textural diversity in the process, and connects the interior with the exterior. Muted and whitewashed oak timber flooring then softens underfoot, warming and enhancing the sense of proportion.

The bold and striking form brings disparate elements on site together with a renewed purpose and shared materiality.

Through an extension of its bold form, Green Walls and Gables aims to bleed into the landscape and immerse the occupants within their generous garden setting. Matter has carefully reused the existing to create a contemporary and enduring home.