An existing sprawling house, designed by the late architect Max Edridge, is situated on a rural property known as Arborfield in Te Horo. Built in the 1990s, the house spans 213 square metres, including a single garage, and features multiple changes in floor levels. Despite its size, the house only contained two bedrooms.

The current owners, one of whom is a retired builder, wanted to add a third bedroom suite that complements the original design of the house.

The property includes a large flat-roofed area that serves as a carport, linking the house to the garage, with steep gabled wings interconnecting the spaces. Around the outside of the house are covered porch areas at a lower roof pitch. Inside, the house is characterised by large, exposed timber macrocarpa beams and collar ties, along with feature rimu trims on the window and door joinery.

The existing membrane flat roofed area had been causing issues for the owners, and needed redesigning to eliminate the internal gutters. They wanted to add the third bedroom suite above the carport and re-roofing the flat area while also installing new skylights but were uncertain if this could be accomplished.

The ideal location for the new second storey was identified, by aligning one exterior wall with the ridge of the rear gable wing and extending the pitch of the garage gable, a spacious second level was created. A cantilevered extension added to the bedroom not only provided extra space but also introduced a new gable form at the front, harmonising with the original design. This offers the perfect spot to relax in front of a large window, capturing views over the owner's orchard and glimpses of the sea beyond.

By utilising the existing study for the new staircase, we were able to preserve the character of the original entryway and enhance the new stairwell’s aesthetic.

At the top of the stairs, we created a new study space with windows capturing views of the Tararua Ranges and the trees that characterise this property.

In the bedroom, the ceiling shape and collar ties were designed to match those in the existing house. Instead of using macrocarpa, the owners opted for recycled Douglas Fir. The windows were framed using recycled Rimu.

The commitment to recycling extended further, as the door from the original study was repurposed in the new bedroom. Additionally, recycled light fixtures were sourced from second-hand shops, matching the original style. A new door to match allows access to the storage area under the stairs, which is the perfect location for a wine cellar, thanks to the 800mm high block walls that form the original part of the house.