A clever architect takes her converted warehouse apartment back to the drawing board for a stunning revamp that maximises space without sacrificing style
Meet and greet
Kate Beilby (architect and owner of Milieu: Architecture + Design) and a friend who went in on the purchase.
Where is the home?
Mt Eden, Auckland.
What did you want to achieve out of your reno?
The apartment was sold as a two-bedroom property, but the second bedroom was really just the size of a walk-in wardrobe, so the main aim was to turn it into a proper two-bedroom apartment.
The existing apartment had the kitchen, living and bathroom on the lower level with the sleeping areas in the mezzanine. The layout was very awkward and space was used inefficiently – for example, there were no wardrobes and very limited storage which you really need for apartment living. After working on various options for the design, it became clear that the only way to get two bedrooms in upstairs would be to lower the mezzanine floor and relocate the stair and kitchen – this added 10 percent extra floor area to the apartment.
What were the biggest hurdles?
As with all renovations, there were some surprises during demolition. For instance, there was a steel truss running through one of the walls, meaning the mezzanine couldn’t be lowered as originally designed. Luckily, this was resolved by having a step down into the bedrooms. I think this is actually an improvement on the original design, particularly in the new bedroom, as it divides the L-shaped room into two areas – the desk and wardrobe are on the higher level, which then steps down to the cosy snug for the bed.
Renovating on the top floor of an old building with no lift also had its challenges, which I’m sure the builders can attest to. They did countless runs up and down the stairs and I’m still amazed that they managed to carry up the heavy plywood staircase in one piece.
Before.
The main aim was to turn it into a proper two-bedroom apartment.
The layout was very awkward and space was used inefficiently.
“I enjoyed doing some DIY where I could – painting, staining, installing hardware and shelves. It’s amazing what you can learn from YouTube videos!” says Kate.
“I loved seeing the empty shell of the apartment after the demolition and enjoyed seeing the rapid progress the builders made to form the new mezzanine level,” says Kate.
The design and consent process took about four months and the construction two months.
The bar stools are from Freedom.
The Mt Eden apartment is on the top floor of the old Farmers furniture warehouse.
“I chose a material palette to work in with the existing industrial aesthetic of the apartment: white cabinetry, stainless steel, and the black-stained plywood stair as a feature,” says Kate.
Kate says she was looking for an apartment with a bit of character and, being an architect, somewhere she could make her mark.
Relocating the stairs and the kitchen added 10 percent extra floor area to the apartment.
Renovating on the top floor of an old building with no lift had its challenges.
The new bedroom divides the L-shaped room into two areas – the desk and wardrobe are on the higher level, which then steps down to the cosy snug for the bed.
“I spent four long days painting the exposed floor joists on the underside of the mezzanine. It was back-breaking but worth it as the texture of the floor joists works so well with the industrial aesthetic of the apartment,” says Kate.
“I loved the high ceilings, wood floors, steel windows and painted brick and concrete walls,” says Kate.
There are no items in the apartment that are overly expensive.
Photography by Wendy Fenwick.
Words by: Kristina Rapley. Photography by: Wendy Fenwick.
[related_articles post1=”34473″ post2=”37903″]
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
