These gorgeous Hillcrest homes on the North Shore have elegant curves, and the external design would make anyone driving past want to stop and have a closer look.
The Urban Refinery was born in 2020 when two couples got together and combined their skills with a desire to make a positive contribution to Auckland’s suburban streetscapes.
Development manager Charlie Bott said they were getting a bit tired of looking at white weatherboard houses with charcoal roofs, so decided to get into development with more of an architectural focus, providing a higher-end finish to townhouse living.
This particular site they purchased with a 90-year-old bungalow located in the centre of the site which was moved to the back of the section and completely renovated.
Opening up the old home so it better suited modern living, reorientating entertainment areas to the north, restoring the wooden windows and adding two new bathrooms, along with a new kitchen were the first steps.
The beautiful charm of the original timber floors have been reinstated, and show the characters of the various lives and additions this dwelling has had over the years.
Hardie groove lined walls in both the main bedroom and bathroom keep the heritage detail, and once complete the bungalow was sold to finance the three impressive executive townhouses at the front.
Having curved brick walls as the arrival statement came with its challenges, particularly on a small footprint, but the effort was well worth it.
Everything from the floor slab to the kitchen benchtop had to be curved, and the cantilevered upper level with Nuwall aluminium cladding really accentuates that.
“We were trying to create visual movement in the building form rather than just having two boxes on top of each other,” he said.
Window shrouds give these 120 sqm executive homes added depth, and despite their size, the generous 2.7m stud gives the feeling of expansiveness.
With three bedrooms upstairs – the main with an ensuite and a raking ceiling, the designers have made great use of every space.
This is just the beginning for The Urban Refinery. Watch this space for other exciting projects coming soon, including homes with a similar theme around the neighbourhood.
“The Urban Refinery Ethos is about providing quality infill housing that not only creates better living environments for the occupiers, but also presents a visual aesthetic that benefits neighbours and by-passers.” Charlie said.