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St Gabriel's was one of the largest and most expensive of the new churches in the Hokianga to be built by 1900. Today, it remains as one of the earliest churches still on its original site and is definitely a Hokianga destination worth making, as it sits on a promontory in clear sight for miles before reaching it.
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There are very few surviving cottages of this era. Our approach to the restoration of this cottage was both discrete and authentic, seeking no greater scale than the original. The interventions sought to ensure both amenity for the present owners and to ensure its continued existence in the unique coastal character of Waiheke’s eastern end.
This cottage dates from the early 20th century and was once the Police Station and Oyster Inspector’s house, when the greatest concentration of Waiheke residents was at the eastern ‘Bottom End’ of the island. It was a largely self-sufficient community providing service to the active coastal trade of the Hauraki Gulf, and beyond to the Coromandel Peninsula.
The standard of original construction fell remarkably short of its counterparts in inner city Auckland, resulting in a restoration project which became a substantial rebuild, but it has been successful in maintaining a high level of authenticity. The closed in verandah was reinstated to its early form, with details re-imagined using archival photographs.
Traditional carpentry techniques were put into practice, with typical details referenced from early Auckland houses, such as ‘broomstick’ cornices, solid timber cupboards and linings, a meat-safe and a newly designed range enclosure.
A significant amount of original hardware was re-used, preserving the building's essential simplicity as well as breathing new life back into this iconic seaside cottage.
Not only was a high level of authenticity important to us, we also wanted to create spaces for our client that were relaxing, and exuded a quiet charm.
