There’s something erupting in Ōwairaka Mount Albert. A pioneer-red build surging out the back of a 100-year-old villa has shaken up the sleepy streets of the historic suburb, while speaking to something far, far older. It’s called Lava Flow, but the name’s not purely about looks; the Taylors Road property sits on the edge of one. “Quite literally,” says co-owner Jeremy Ritson. “It runs through all these properties.”
For Pac Studio, the extension is a dialogue with Tāmaki Makaurau’s volcanic field, marrying history and position with technical innovation and design. “That’s a theme through lots of our projects recently; we make the houses feel very specific to their particular place on this incredible volcanic landscape,” explains director Sarosh Mulla. “The project is so dense with ideas, and Jeremy and Helen have been such wonderful, passionate clients to work with.” The couple have lived here since 2012, and after tinkering away with updates for years, in 2023 they decided it was time for the big one: stripping away the 1970s extension out the back in favour of a bold intervention by Pac.
They anticipated some special geology beneath the property, and a geotechnical investigation revealed a map of where the lava flow had settled. It informed the build from the ground up. The foundations aren’t your standard concrete pile. “We worked with the engineers to figure out a way of attaching the house to the bedrock,” Sarosh explains. “It’s actually the most direct solution.” The original idea was to lay a concrete slab on the rock. Instead, the piles are fixed to the basalt, which is the most solid thing you’re going to get. The decision also significantly reduced the project’s carbon footprint. (Pac do full, quantified carbon modelling for their projects).
“Every time we look at a house in this area, we’re fascinated by what’s under the grass,” says Sarosh. The land here is particularly fertile, and the multi-level backyard benefits greatly from the volcanic soil. Dense foliage provides privacy, and the grapefruit tree by the old stone wall is heavy with fruit. The house beams through all that green. It’s all very lush from the inside too: framed through the living area’s generous glazing, the garden is visible from the moment you step through the red front door.
The clients were keen to retain the hallway as the central artery of the house. It acts as a view shaft, delivering you to the new extension, which was brought to life by New Wave Construction. At the end of the hall, a bulkhead marks the back of the original house and a stark shift in volume. Look up and you’ll witness a thrusting red pyramid of a ceiling, punctured by a skylight. It’s a sculptural, volcanic vision that illuminates the kitchen. The deep red of the ceiling paint gives the space a sheltered feel. Warm light bounces off it, changing with the hour. “It really made sense here,” says Sarosh. “But that’s actually the least volcanic part.”
The house takes its cue from the topography; its cascading layout descending to a sunken living room. That reinforces the nostalgic flavour of the addition, and the family’s taste. “There are quite a few retro elements in here,” says Helen , gesturing to the sheer curtains, neo-retro pendant lights, and vibrant, geometric rugs. Built-in bookshelves incorporate upholstered seating, all red too, and invitingly positioned by the fireplace (Jeremy’s one condition). The hearth is cleverly tiled with fire bricks, which turned out to be just the colour they were looking for. “They’re of course incredibly irregular,” Sarosh says of the bricks. It’s elegant and practical, like the kitchen. The benchtops, including an expansive central island, are made from veritably indestructible slabs of 316 stainless steel. Marble splashbacks give another nod to the bedrock. Walls are painted red to match the pyramid ceiling.
Outside, the paintwork is striking. The clients didn’t want a white extension, and Pac embraced the brief. “We always love lots of colour in our projects,” Sarosh explains. “I think that people should just have fun with their houses. That’s the beauty of these applied finishes, particularly paint.” The joinery, roof and rusticated radiata cladding are all pioneer red “Nothing complicated, just a stock standard colour that’s a little bit brave,” says Sarosh. It’s not the only red used here though. He likes to have two similar colours in one project, inviting viewers to think, so the front fence, kitchen and bench seat are all painted a deeper, plummier shade of red.
There’s pink too, on the section of cabinetry affectionately known as the DJ booth, and in the new ensuite. Previously a “black box” storage space, Pac has transformed the room into a warm antechamber. Atop the rosy panelling and red trim is a fantastical wallpaper. “All the wallpaper choices are Helen’s,” Sarosh says. “She deserves full credit for those. They’re incredible.” For the snug, she selected a transportive motif inspired by the flora and fauna of ancient Egypt. This cosy space, off to the side of the kitchen and lounge, was designed with the family’s growing sons in mind. “Lots of our clients have a soft spot for that mid-century vibe,” says Sarosh. “And there’s quite a few great snugs in that era of architectural history.”
You’ll find heritage nods throughout the home, including an unearthed newspaper page now framed on the wall. Underfoot, it’s all aged timber. “The old house had mataī flooring,” Jeremy explains, and that was carried through to the new part. “The extension is all reclaimed mataī.” The wood has a distinct visual warmth, which complements all the red. “It has that beautiful honey tone,” Sarosh adds. “And it fits that ever-so-slightly mid-century vibe.” The embrace of colour and warmth is pivotal to the renovation’s success, and presents a temperature check for other villa renovations. From old foundations comes new thinking.
1. Entrance
2. Bedroom
3. Formal Lounge
4. Ensuite
5. Office
6. Bathroom
7. Laundry
8. Garage
9. Kitchen
10. Snug
11. Living
12. Dining
13. Outdoor Dining
