No Comparison

The modernisation of old villas is an architectural phenomenon that seems to be gathering speed in New Zealand. Fusing the character of a grand old villa with modern architectural layouts and materials makes a lot of sense – and when the materials mean the additions can be done cost effectively, the results are even more impressive.

Gary Todd has carved out a solid reputation for himself in Otago. His work has won the acclaim of his architectural peers as well as the wider community – in fact his commission on this St Clair villa was the result of a referral from another satisfied customer.

The owners of the villa, the Hughes family, faced a situation that most families go through. They had bought the house, lived in it for a few years and now had cause for expansion. This is something that may seem simple, but Todd warns that it is often a deceptively big job.

“Many families start off with a three-bedroom house with one bathroom when they are a couple or have a small family. But turning a three bedroom into a four bedroom home is not easy. A four bedroom family home usually requires not just another bedroom, but another bathroom, another living area, another garage… It’s a big undertaking and transformation,” says Todd.

Todd describes the refurbished house as having “simple exterior villa styling and lofty interior living spaces that have been retained and enhanced by the introduction of quality materials, finishes, and decorative detail.”

The key was to use materials that preserved the character and added extra value, so Todd specified LineaTM Weatherboard from James Hardie. He says the benefits of Linea Weatherboard are far more than just the aesthetic.

“With Linea Weatherboard I was able to match it with the timber weatherboards from the old house. It also has a great fire resistance rating so I can have it within one metre of the site boundary, instead of shielding timber with an unsightly and expensive concrete wall,” he says.

The courtyard was central to the new design of the house, opening up the northern aspect for indoor and outdoor living spaces. With some smart landscaping, Todd decked right over a swampy part of the old lawn where water used to collect and then used Linea Weatherboard again to connect the outside area to the rest of the house with an integral part height wall feature.

“I think the Linea Weatherboard wall on the deck perimeter captures private space that really sets the project apart. The verandah eaves provide the deck with shelter from the elements and were again a smart usage of James Hardie products, this time Villaboard® Lining. “Villaboard Lining is great because it allows us to save on labour costs. We also used another James Hardie product, CLD® Trim on top of the Villaboard Lining to give it that authentic panelled look,” says Todd.

The end result is stunning, as the ADNZ judges agreed by recognizing Gary Todd with a finalist nod at their national awards. The Hughes family got exactly what they wanted too – a house they could live in with their family for the next 20 years. Owner Martin Hughes remembers the house as it was before and as it is now and sums it up in two words: “no comparison.”

PRODUCTS USED

Linea Weatherboard by James Hardie

Villaboard Lining by James Hardie