The right extension can add much more than square metres to a home. It can usher in light, introduce modern technology and strengthen the architectural fabric. The best examples all have one thing in common: they look as if they truly belong. In this Christchurch home, the 46sqm extension appears as though it were part of the original build. That’s craftsmanship. The house consists of a two-floor pavilion and a single-level wing positioned at a right angle. Downstairs is an open-plan kitchen-dining space and two separate living rooms. An internal-access double garage and powder room complete the floor. Three bedrooms (one a main-bedroom suite) are upstairs.

The addition, connected to one of the living rooms by a glazed link, adds a luxurious guest suite with raked ceiling, tiled ensuite, dressing room and sliders that open to a stunning bonus: the once L-shaped property is now more of a U, with an almost-enclosed patio and gorgeous gardens. This private suntrap with an outdoor fire, barbecue and hard landscaping, also links to the living zones. Despite limited access, necessitating a crane and conveyor belt, and a tight timeframe, the team pulled off a skilful renovation, merging the old and new in a package that far exceeds the benefits of a 46sqm addition. In fact, the owners loved the guest quarters so much they decided to move in themselves.