A bold vision and a clever design have transformed a dated 1980s home in Mt Maunganui into a striking architectural statement.

Riini Piahana, Founding Director of Coform Architectural Designs, led the renovation project – seeing beyond the limitations of the house’s original layout to create a spacious, light-filled home.

Once a modest two-bedroom home with an office, it now boasts four bedrooms, as well as an office and two-car garage. This was achieved through a thoughtful and strategic redesign, with Riini effectively unlocking an additional 40sqm and arriving at a layout that’s more in tune with modern living.

By reconfiguring the master bedroom to the east, Riini created space for an expansive open-plan living area that maximises light and flow. The new kitchen – complemented by dining and living zones – serves as a focal point for the home’s new, more cohesive layout, while carefully placed skylights guide natural light deeper into the home.

But it’s the dramatic sloped ceiling that’s become the defining feature of the renovation. Using Prolam Glulam Beams to manipulate the home’s existing trusses, Riini and his team have crafted a striking architectural void. The blend of contemporary lines with repurposed materials has delivered a character-rich aesthetic, and Riini’s deliberate play on angles has enhanced spatial perception, making the home feel even larger.

Five Prolam PL12 H1 290x90 rafter beams, each spanning 5.3m, were integral to achieving the sloped ceiling and integration of the skylights. While the 4.5m Prolam PL12 H1 360x90 lintel installed above a large stacker door provides critical structural support.

According to Riini, his choice of Prolam Glulam Beams delivered several key advantages. Structural design flexibility was one: “The glulam timber beams enabled modifications to the existing roof structure without full replacement or the need for steel which made the renovation more efficient and cost effective,” Riini says. 

Other advantages included:

• Ease of installation – The adaptability of Prolam Glulam Beams allowed for seamless integration with the home’s original framework.
• Sustainability – Alignment with Coform Architecture’s commitment to sustainable materials and responsible design.
• Aesthetics – The repurposed rimu contrasts elegantly with the architectural void created by the sloped ceiling and adds warmth and authenticity.

Riini says the collaboration with Prolam was seamless, too: 
“Prolam’s technical team provided invaluable support in selecting the right structural components. This enabled us to execute our vision without compromise, ensuring both performance and aesthetic excellence,” he says.

Prolam’s efficient lead times and high-quality products also contributed to the smooth execution of the project.

The renovation embodies Coform Architectural Design’s dedication to detail, architectural flair, and innovation. It has redefined what’s possible in residential transformation through transformative spatial planning, carefully curated materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. 

“Having worked with Prolam on multiple projects, Coform Architecture values its reliability and versatility. The superior strength-to-weight ratio of Prolam Glulam Beams makes them an ideal alternative to steel, particularly in complex renovations where both structure and aesthetics are paramount.”
-    Riini Piahana, Founding Director, Coform Architectural Designs

Images courtesy of Riini Piahana, Coform Architectural Designs