The Steeple

Our Home Office: This is a classic conversion/change of use, which demonstrates to all potential clients what is possible when converting any building designed for another purpose into a home. What is interesting with these projects is part of the original zeitgeist remains.

Designed in 1963 by Oliver Donnell influenced by Council Architects like Ernst Plishke from his work with New Zealand Churches the decade before.

We have looked at new and innovative materials such as Corten Steel and corrugated polycarbonate for the street fences. These two products relate to the solidity and light of the original Church composition, with its large areas of glazed timber joinery is reflected in the studs and nogs of the fence while the Corten reflects the solid mass of the “inclined” 2 storey concrete plastered columns.

The original interior of the church was very inwardly focused, (as you would expect) as the patterned glass (custom designed as raindrops cascading down the glass panels) conceals any connection to the outside world. We have replaced a number with clear glass which intensely frames the surrounding garden and sky. The additional north facing decks and new bi-fold doors have allowed us to relocate some of the existing 3.4m high windows into the original administration annex.

The original annex lobby has been converted into a media room and concealed laundry storage wall. The original Axminster carpet (laid in the 70s) has also been a spring board for the interior colour palette not often used, and the primary triad of colours reflected in the existing windows (red, yellow and blue) is reflected in a lively vertical striped wall paper that accentuates the height of the entry space and connects to the upper floor bedrooms.

In the main bedroom we selected highly burnt red textured mosaic-like wallpaper, which strengthens the form of the building and also adds a great contrast to the green carpet.

A fantastic place to live, work and play.