An architect's perspective.
Creative Architecture is a busy architectural practice located in the heart of Grey Lynn, Auckland. Their current core work includes designing substantial renovations and extensions to bungalows and villas that are up to 100 years old. This certainly has a bearing on the type of materials used as Creative Architecture Principal, Mark McLeay explains:
“Bungalow and villa conversions often require weatherboards be used for heritage zone purposes. We need to use traditional materials to tie in with the form and the lines of existing homes. The whole thing flows together seamlessly because Linea Weatherboard picks up the same shadowlines as the original weatherboards."
"Another big advantage with Linea Weatherboard is the fire-rating benefits – particularly in areas where buildings are often closer than one meter from the boundary.”
Getting council approval to build contemporary new homes in these heritage areas can be a challenge. Mark says that cladding in LineaTM Weatherboards has helped that process on a number of occasions. The weatherboard profile is seen to provide a link to the look of neighbouring heritage homes even when the style and nature of the new home is of a contemporary design.
“We are also using Linea Weatherboard in combination with other products including James Hardie Titan Facade Panel and Monotek Sheet, creating a play on different textures to achieve a break in form. In instances we have used Monotek Sheet with a grey plaster finish to emulate raw grey concrete – and we've created a semi-industrial concrete panel look with Titan Façade Panel. There's a vast number of ways these products can be used.”
