keeping it Kiwi... in Sydney

Working in exclusive Point Piper, on Sydney-based New Zealand architect Chris Howe’s own home, they weren’t familiar with the product and were therefore reluctant to provide a complete warranty for their work. However, Howe insisted on specifying Resene flat acrylic Resene Half Pearl Lusta for all interior walls, the same colour in semi-gloss enamel for all doors and joinery, and Resene Sonyx 101 in Resene Half Spanish White on the exterior. Now, those painters are converts and intend to keep it Kiwi in the future.

Chris moved to Sydney five years ago to set up Bossley Howe Architects, a joint venture with Auckland architect Pete Bossley. He specifies Resene for all his projects, but it’s not just Kiwi pride that makes him do it.

“It’s my belief that we should support New Zealand companies if their products are equal to or better than their Australian counterparts. I have no doubt at all that Resene paint is the best on the market in Australia,” he says, citing technologically advanced formulas, and great coverage and wearability as the key reasons behind his preference.

Chris says for the last eight years, the interior walls of his own homes have featured Resene.

“I find it’s the only flat paint suitable for walls – we have two boys who are not kind on houses!”

While many people mistake the Howes’ Point Piper residence for a new home, it is actually an extensive renovation. When Chris, wife Betsy, and boys Charlie (7) and Harry (11), first moved into the 1923 deceased estate, their friends were taken aback.

“Some said it wasn’t just the worst house in the street, but in the whole suburb,” laughs Chris.

The roof “leaked like a colander” and some emergency repairs had to be carried out when one of the boys put his feet through the floorboards. In fact, the family had originally intended on demolishing the existing house and starting again, but town planning and geotechnical issues meant this wasn’t advisable – to begin with, the rear of the 780sqm site is 16m higher than the front.

Today, the original house is unrecognisable and Chris is particularly proud of the fact the entire project took only nine months from go to whoa. While the architect says he usually has a Modernist approach to his design, this undertaking called for a more traditional style.

“We were very aware of context here. The house is directly opposite the former gatehouse of the historic Wentworth Estate,” he points out.

Now, while the rear of the five-bedroom, threebathroom home is modern, the front elevation nods to the neighbourhood, with its modernised versions of the gatehouse’s railings and engaged pilasters. Genuine antique Spanish roof tiles add to the overall character, which is described by Chris as “Australian English” in style.

Indicative of the English influence are the black enamelpainted window and door frames. Acoustic seals around the double-glazing cater for any movement in the joinery from the blazing heat. And the Resene paint handles the weather extremely well, Chris says.

The renovation added a new underground double garage, and the home’s existing pool was retained, albeit with a hefty makeover. Large expanses of concrete were plastered and then painted in Resene Half Spanish White to match the house.

A large water tank under the new concrete stairs collects rainwater for irrigation. The planting scheme includes rare 350-year-old native Australian plants, fitted with microchips for identification.

Inside, the new kitchen features jarrah veneer cabinets and CaesarStone benchtops in Nite Sky. Chris says Betsy is a great cook and insists on a kitchen that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. And she’s very pleased with the result – which is just as well, as the entire design was her husband’s.

“She said something like: ‘Design it how you like, as long as it’s how I want it to be’,” laughs Chris.

words: Penny Lewis
pictures: Courtesy of Bossley Howe Architects Pty Ltd

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

• Specifiers:

  • Earn CPD points reading this magazine – If you're a specifier, earn ADNZ or NZRAB CPD points by reading habitat magazine. Once you've read an issue request your CPD points via the CPD portal for ADNZ (for NZ architectural designers) or NZRAB (for NZ architects).  Join our specifier and trade database...

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Sign up for a DIY card and Save! Australia | New Zealand