The Pompallier printery, tannery and book bindery is the last remaining building of others in the compound constructed by the founding French Catholic Mission for the entire western Pacific and is also the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand.
The most significant aspect of this alteration was a reinstatement of the original west verandah, entry and hallway. We provided templates for the fretwork and our clients crafted them in the local community workshop. Their work is seen in several of the finishing details and this involvement was a lovely part of the project.
A new bay window was added to the front room alongside the new verandah, using the double hung sash windows from the existing wall.
A new kitchen extension was designed as a traditional lean-to, which opens to the dining room from where sea views can be enjoyed. The enclosed stair to the existing first floor space was relocated to the hallway and opened up to the kitchen. New balustrading and newel posts seamlessly completed the transformation. The existing north facing deck was rebuilt in steel sections with a louvred roof and screened central bay. From here a new outdoor living space was created, which has stunning views out over Ngataringa Bay.
