Pipers Valley
THE QUICK LOWDOWN
This project reimagines a 1950s bungalow and a 1990s addition, two conflicting architectural styles that lacked cohesion. Rather than forcing harmony, the design embraces their differences, creating a clear distinction between the mid-century home and a contemporary reinterpretation of a corrugated iron barn. By reworking the addition’s form, improving internal flow, and refining materiality, the project achieves a bold yet balanced composition that respects the past while enhancing functionality.
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Perched above Duvauchelle Bay, the house takes full advantage of its expansive coastal views while ensuring better integration with its surroundings. The 1990s extension, originally clad in fibre cement, was stripped back and reclad in corrugated iron, reinforcing the barn-inspired aesthetic. A previously awkward hipped roof was replaced with a gable, aligning the addition with its northern end. This intervention, fondly referred to as a “hip replacement” during construction, simplified the structure and gave it a stronger, more resolved identity.
Windows were reconfigured to create a deliberate and rhythmic pattern. The west-facing façade was redesigned with large, strategically placed openings, framing dramatic views of the Akaroa hills. Minimal but intentional glazing on the south and east elevations maintains privacy while reinforcing the home’s restrained yet purposeful aesthetic.
DESIGN DRIVERS
A key objective was improving the internal flow between the two structures. Previously, access to the 1990s addition was through a bedroom, an impractical layout that lacked cohesion. A spacious new entry and stairwell became the central spine, uniting the two volumes. The staircase itself became an architectural feature, with oak treads that match the flooring throughout, and a perforated steel balustrade inspired by the boardwalk pattern of Ipanema Beach, referencing Pier’s Brazilian heritage.
The upper level of the barn structure was transformed into a private suite, complete with a lounge, bedroom, and ensuite, while the ground-floor garage was converted into two bedrooms and a home office. The 1950s bungalow was redefined as the living and entertaining hub, requiring the removal of almost all internal walls to create a large, open-plan kitchen and living space. A previously enclosed conservatory was removed, opening up the northern aspect and improving the connection to new deck and pergola areas.
LIFE INSIDE
The interior palette is restrained and refined, acting as a backdrop to Nick and Pier’s extensive art collection. Oak flooring runs throughout, providing continuity between living spaces, entry, and bedrooms. Open-plan areas are bright and airy, while more intimate spaces embrace darker tones, creating a sense of warmth and contrast.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
Balancing two distinct architectural languages without forcing uniformity was key to this project’s success. The solution lay in celebrating the differences, refining the barn-like addition, and enhancing the period character of the original bungalow. The result is a thoughtfully reconfigured home that feels both intentional and cohesive, blending historical charm with contemporary function.
