Team Architects

The Grater Street Residence is a large house on a compact site (337 sq m) located in the leafy suburban neighbourhood of Maori Hill in Dunedin.

The main entry is at street level and opens up to a central double-height foyer with a feature staircase.  There are three distinct levels within the house; teenage boys on the lower floor, family living in the middle, and the master bedroom plus study on the upper level.

An important design focus was to give the house a feeling of spaciousness, whilst also maintaining privacy from the immediate neighbours.  The shape and placement of windows is used in a variety of different ways, ranging from large windows for sunlight and distant views, contrasting with narrow windows providing a glimpse back to the street and natural light.

The living level is comprised of two large volumes that intersect at a recessed balcony.  This private balcony allows the living spaces to open out on sunny days, and also helps bring sunlight, and a feeling of spaciousness into the heart of the house.  The upper level has stunning views from every room across the neighbouring rooftops to the greenery and distant hillsides beyond. 

A restrained palette of interior materials imbues the house with a calm and contemporary refined spatial quality; American white Oaks doors and floors, black aluminium windows, dramatic black kitchen joinery and high quality paint finishes on soft white walls.