Layered Legacy – Windemere Residence by Knight Associates

After having its rich historical details reworked, Windemere Residence transforms into an open, contemporary family residence, which is now for sale and ready for its next chapter and owner. Knight Associates retains the original charm and character of the home, ensuring its storied past is captured in the detailing throughout, grounding the form in place.

Nestled on the northern ridge of Saint Marys Bay and overlooking the Auckland Harbour Bridge and inner Waitematā, Windermere Residence is a turn-of-the-century-style residence, retaining connections to the past. Combining textured and rustic finishes with newly introduced elements, Knight Associates’s creates an expanded home that complements the existing collection of modern art on display throughout. Wanting to integrate a sense of welcoming comfort that would highlight the bespoke character of the abode, anything new that the architect added needed to feel suitable and seamless.

Combining textured and rustic finishes with newly introduced elements, Knight Associates’s creates an expanded home that complements the existing collection of modern art on display throughout.

Knight Associates expertly balances both function and heritage detailing within. Ensuring an ease of movement throughout the living spaces and across indoor-outdoor thresholds was also key to the redesign. The kitchen has been reoriented – the culinary space now allowing for opportunities to gather and socialise. A scullery and powder room was also created, which sits adjacent to the kitchen and can support larger gatherings. Throughout, warm materials and quality detailing and junctions are incorporated to ensure the home can withstand the knocks of everyday living, without impacting upon its design or atmosphere.

Linking to the outdoor terrace space and the pool beyond underpinned much of the work on the main floor, increasing engagement with the outdoors. On the upper level, the bedrooms have been refreshed with newly applied finishes and layers. “Materiality was paramount to the design,” says Rufus Knight, director of Knight Associates, “and the palette of Arabescato marble, brushed character oak, hand-cast tiles, seagrass and natural brass borrows from a time-honoured classicism, with subtle cues to an enduring European aesthetic.”

Throughout, warm materials and quality detailing and junctions are incorporated to ensure the home can withstand the knocks of everyday living, without impacting upon its design or atmosphere.

Warm and elegant in form, Windemere Residence feels both familiar and true to its origins. By drawing from the existing elements, Knight Associates ensures the next owners will also benefit from adding their own unique mark to the home.