Beneath the louvres, sunlight softens to a gentle glow, the air moves easily, and the heat of a Canterbury summer becomes a calm, shaded retreat. What was once an exposed, awkward deck is now the heart of the home — a place for big family gatherings, quiet coffees, and everything in between. Read our clients’ own story below.
Tai Tapu Alterations – Turning a Compact First Home into a Family Hub
You might relate to this project if you…
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Built or bought a smaller first home that’s now struggling to keep up
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Feel like your home is starting to feel too small for a growing or expanding family
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Love having people over, but find entertaining stressful in your current layout
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Want your home to feel more open, stylish and connected to the outdoors
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Are busy and want a clear, structured process so decisions are easier to make
Project at a glance
Location: Tai Tapu
Original home: Compact first home with added-on bedroom and conservatory
Key issues: Small, disjointed living areas, poor outdoor use, stressful entertaining
Key moves: Reworked entry, open-plan kitchen/living, louvre-covered deck, integrated outdoor room
Result: Flexible family hub with year-round indoor–outdoor living, without moving house
A Home That Never Quite Worked
When Mark and Emily first built on their Tai Tapu site, the house was a compact, efficient first home. Over time, as their family and needs grew, they tried to make it work by adding on — a bedroom extension and even a lean-to conservatory on the north side.
These changes added floor area but didn’t solve the underlying issues. The living areas were still small and disjointed, and the house just didn’t feel inviting or easy to use day to day.
“We love to entertain, but the house just wasn’t set up for it. There wasn’t space to comfortably hold a decent number of people — seating our wider whānau of 12 around the dining table was very snug,” they explained.
Outside, the decks and garden were either too hot, too windy or too cold to use regularly.
“Outdoor living was impractical most of the time. If it was sunny, there was no shade, if it was windy, the outdoor areas were too exposed, and if it was cool, it just wasn’t inviting.”
They didn’t want to move – they liked the area and had already invested in the house. They needed a design that would finally unlock the potential of what they had, instead of layering on more compromises.
Reworking the Plan for Everyday Life
We approached the project as a complete re-think of the living spaces, rather than a small add-on.
Inside, we widened and reoriented the entry so arriving at the house feels calm and welcoming, not like stepping into a corridor. The kitchen, dining and living areas were opened up and reconfigured so sightlines are clear and the whole space can flex for daily life, work-from-home, or larger gatherings.
The goal was a layout where:
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People can move easily between kitchen, dining, living and deck
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There’s room for extended family around the table
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Smaller corners still feel comfortable when it’s just the immediate household at home
Designing Outdoor Living That Actually Works
Outside, the focus was on creating a single, generous outdoor living zone that works in real weather, not just in photos.
We designed a covered deck with an adjustable louvre roof, oriented to provide shade when it’s hot and shelter when it’s windy or cool. Built-in seating, lighting and power were planned so the space feels like a true outdoor room, not an afterthought.
“The covered area has been a game changer. The extension provides shelter from some of the wind, and the louvres mean we can sit outside even on a hot, sunny day — we can enjoy the warmth without suffering from the direct sunshine.”
The barbecue is close to the kitchen, and sliding doors mean the deck feels like a natural extension of the living area. Simple planting completes the picture.
“The lemon trees next to the deck are flourishing, perfect for a G&T on a hot day, or a lemon drizzle cake on a cooler one.”
Read more about architectural louvre roofs and outdoor rooms →
Using 3D Visualisations to Make Decisions Easy
Mark and Emily wanted to be sure the new outdoor structure would feel integrated, not tacked on. We used 3D modelling so they could see how the covered deck would sit with the existing house, deck levels and garden.
“The 3D visualisations were really helpful. It made it much easier to be confident that the new outdoor area would feel integrated rather than tacked on. We were also able to check that the structure would not interfere with the flow or with the views.”
This kind of visual clarity helps time-poor make decisions quickly and confidently, without needing to imagine everything from plans alone. It also streamlines construction, as there will be fewer changes and urgent decisions once work is underway.
A Flexible Family Space That Works All Day
Inside, the new open-plan kitchen and living area works hard for family life.
“The large kitchen and living area is incredibly flexible and lets us all use the space in different ways at the same time. A typical scene might be: Emily building a big Lego project on the rug, children practising guitar on a sofa, playing in a corner, or baking in the kitchen, and me making coffee at the coffee station – all without feeling cramped or in each other’s way.”
The widened entry hall now leads naturally into the main living space, and friends and family notice the difference.
“Family and friends often comment that the entrance feels much more distinctive and welcoming than it did before.”
A Home That Feels Bigger Without Moving House
The finished project hasn’t changed the address, but it has completely changed how the home works and feels.
“The outdoor lighting is very practical, and the extension and louvres look stunning from the garden, particularly at dusk with the interior and exterior lights on.”
A once-compact first home, stretched by incremental additions, is now a coherent, modern family house with enough space for everyday living and large whānau gatherings. Indoor and outdoor areas are connected, comfortable and easy to use across the seasons.
Ready to explore what’s possible in your current home?
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Structural Engineer: Fifth Dimension Consulting Engineers (5dce.co.nz)
