Houzz Tour: From Disaster to Triumph in a Warehouse-Style Family Home
A Lyttelton family beat the odds (three times) when their loft apartment was threatened with demolition following a series of earthquakes
Claire McCall
27 February 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. I am a freelance journalist based in Auckland and specialise in writing about architecture and design. My first architectural book entitled 'Green Modern: Eco-Conscious Contemporary New Zealand Homes was released by Penguin NZ in September 2014.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. I am a freelance journalist based in Auckland and... More
Making their home in the building that once served as the Lyttelton Rugby Clubrooms was a dream come true for Alex and Kris Herbert. They installed their handmade ski factory in the basement and set about converting the upstairs level into an open-plan loft apartment for themselves and their son. The dream almost ended when a series of three earthquakes caused extensive damage to the structure and brickwork. The local authority deemed the 1913 building uninhabitable. “We knew we’d have to strengthen it,” says Kris. But that would cost a fortune. The couple fought several battles in order to be able to partially demolish the building and save valuable materials such as the steel trusses and an open-tread Rimu staircase. Then they consulted architect Max Capocaccia to help them transform the space to embrace the views of the hills and the port, while maintaining privacy from the neighbours.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kris and Alex Herbert with their six-year-old son, Obi
Location: Lyttelton, New Zealand
Size: 379 square metres
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kris and Alex Herbert with their six-year-old son, Obi
Location: Lyttelton, New Zealand
Size: 379 square metres
“The layout creates a feeling of openness towards the south facade and a more sheltered, intimate area at the back of the building,” says architect Max Capocaccia. The exposed structure is softened by the owners’ many online finds. Other items were donated by friends.
Sunlight reflects on the glazed north face of the building. “We designed an enormous steel and cedar facade to make the most of the views of the harbour,” says Capocaccia. The window was built by Optimal Windows in their Northland-based factory, then shipped piece by piece to this South Island site.
Sunlight reflects on the glazed north face of the building. “We designed an enormous steel and cedar facade to make the most of the views of the harbour,” says Capocaccia. The window was built by Optimal Windows in their Northland-based factory, then shipped piece by piece to this South Island site.
Rectangular in form, the simplicity of the building is enhanced by cedar joinery fitted with acoustic double glazing. “We had to design to lessen the noise of an industrial port and surrounding pubs,” explains Capocaccia, who minimised openings to the rear of the property. The exterior decking is made of bamboo.
The entire building (basement and loft) has a floor plate of 379 square metres. Beautiful original pine flooring was retained where possible. The expansive volume of the space called for a generous picture window to match the scale. The comings and goings of the Lyttelton port make a dynamic scene that glitters at night.
Originally in the basement, the Rimu staircase has been repositioned to lead to the mezzanine. It can be difficult to furnish an almost 400-square-metre area, but the owners are slowly gathering the soft furnishings and artwork that help transform the large spaces. The Herberts were pleased to give a new home to the ‘Wunderbar’ sign, which was being thrown out by this quirky Lyttelton institution.
The steel framework of the building lends a wonderful visual rhythm to the expansive space. The walls were built from a lightweight SIP (structural insulated panel). “A progression of windows on the west facade feature tilt-and-swing technology to allow ventilation,” says Capocaccia. “The strengthening of the wooden roof trusses was achieved with rusted metal bolts and exposed plates.” The owners lined the ceiling in bamboo wallpaper which helps with soundproofing the space. It was sourced online through Alibaba.
The mezzanine in the open-plan loft is for the couple’s bedroom, an ensuite and small office. The salvaged timber trusses needed to be strengthened, but they lend a wonderful sense of history. “The volumes have been designed to create hiding space and targeted views,” says Capocaccia. “Although it’s a big, open footprint, there are areas, such as a private nook in the living zone, where the owners can feel protected and sheltered.”
The bath in the couple’s ensuite was given a fresh coat of paint and positioned beneath a skylight to allow bathing with a starlight view.
Pool tiles feature in the shower and the basin was a $1 Trade Me find. The bathroom downstairs is one of only three traditional ‘rooms’ in the house. Obi’s bedroom and a guest room are the two others. The bench is made of bamboo.
The colourful tiling on the kitchen wall are pool tiles that Kris discovered online. The couple bartered with a tiling friend who helped out in exchange for some building materials. The bar stools lend family-friendly warmth and a sense of fun. “We found the stools on Trade Me and repainted them with steel paint,” says Kris. Jarrah posts, reclaimed from the basement following the earthquakes, have been re-used in the kitchen island and the cabinetry.
The guest bedroom is afforded some privacy behind a rolling barn door. Its distressed paintwork is in keeping with the warehouse feel. The painting hanging behind the bed is by Malcolm Terry, a friend of the couple.
Next door is Obi’s bedroom – a fun room for a young boy to grow up in. The steelwork in this bedroom was painted in primary colours to add to the element of fun. Obi is fortunate to have some well thought-out storage, but the couple mainly use overflow space in the downstairs ski factory as well as an on-site garage for their extra bits and pieces.
When Obi isn’t playing in his bedroom, he can be found on the swing hanging from the rafters in the living room.
With resilience, hard work, and a little help from their mates, four years after the earthquakes nearly destroyed their vision, this warehouse with a chequered history once again accommodates the Herberts’ home and business.
TELL US
Has your home been affected by a natural disaster? How has it recovered? Let us know in the Comments section.
With resilience, hard work, and a little help from their mates, four years after the earthquakes nearly destroyed their vision, this warehouse with a chequered history once again accommodates the Herberts’ home and business.
TELL US
Has your home been affected by a natural disaster? How has it recovered? Let us know in the Comments section.
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Great environment for artists!
I have seen this building many times. Lovely to see the delightful spaces within, and their fantastic view of Lyttelton Harbour.
Absolutely stunning conversion!