Inspiring residence located in Lyttelton, New Zealand, completely redesigned by Max Capocaccia.

Description by Max Capocaccia
The client requested an open space that celebrate the view to the port and create privacy from the surrounding. ?The design of the big steel and cedar façade will allow a great view to the port, the hill and the stormy southerly weather; the west windows and the skylights have been placed to gain most of the light without allowing visual and sound intrusion from the neighbour.
The building envelope needed to fit in the industrial port area responding to the heritage constraints of the city plan. ?This led the design to keep the original shape of the building, reinterpreting the structure and cladding material. The new structure should be well above the minimum requirements of the building code in order to withstand future earthquakes providing a feeling of safety to occupants. ?For this we exposed the big steel structure and bracing elements, whilst the walls were built from a SIP lightweight material (structural insulated panel).?The steel structure of the building has been exposed and used to give a visual rhythm to interior, otherwise too dispersive space. Remembrance of the existing house damaged in the earthquake should reflect the original use of the building as a warehouse. ?The high ceiling and exposed old trusses is clearly referring to the previous function of the building reinterpreting the meaning of the original shap...