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Walls in Resene Black White, kitchen island in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
Walls in Resene Black White, steel beams in Black Magic, timber slats in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt.
Walls painted in Resene Black White, timber feature in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
Walls in Resene Black White, feature wall in Half Duck Egg Blue, kitchen island in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
Warm timber, Duck Egg Blue and Black Magic
On a tight triangular site and sheltered by the trees of a neighbouring reserve, this compact new home in Auckland is a warm, future-focussed retreat that supports family, connection and life’s changes.
Designed for Mahesh and Shanthi, parents of Madushin Amarasekera, director of Construkt Architects, the project began with a simple but important question – how do you create a home that supports independence today while adapting gracefully to the realities of ageing tomorrow?
Madushin was largely hands-on with the build with everything from framing to finishing. Likewise was his wife Tehani who was involved in fundamental design decisions and interior design choices. The colour scheme and finishes also continue ideas explored in their previous family home, which was also featured in habitat.
Walls painted in Resene Black White, steel beams in Black Magic.
Walls in Resene Black White, steel beams in Black Magic, timber slats in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt.
“This project was born from a need to house ageing parents in a way that supported independence, proximity to family, and future adaptability,” says Kate Watson, Principal and Registered Urban Designer at Construkt. “The aim was to provide a long-term housing solution that enabled them to live close by, comfortably and safely.
“The design needed to balance compactness with comfort, provide generous garden space, and include a flexible layout with a ground-floor bedroom option for when mobility becomes a challenge.”
Building new meant they could tailor every detail around what was needed, such as accessibility, durability and energy efficiency. “The compact design balances functionality with liveability,” Kate says. “Durable, low-maintenance materials and a focus on energy efficiency ensures the home is comfortable, with minimal ongoing costs, both financially and physically.”
Walls painted in Resene Black White, timber feature in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
Timber features stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
The site was subdivided, retaining its existing 1950s brick state house which created dual occupancy on the property while preserving the character of the neighbourhood and making better use of the land. “This was a sensitive infill strategy that delivered both a high-performing home and long-term value uplift,” says Kate.
Protected tree roots along the reserve boundary limited excavation, but rather than fighting against these conditions, the design embraced them. The house now sits “under canopy cover”, drawing filtered light, shifting shadows and a constant connection to nature into everyday life.
That relationship with the landscape is echoed in a carefully considered colour palette inside. A living room feature wall painted in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue creates a gentle focal point.
“The muted blue-green picks up the cool tones of the surrounding canopy and sky,” says Madushin. "Subtle in tone, it enhances the warmth of adjacent materials and furnishings. It gives the space a calm focal plane without overpowering the compact floor plan.”
Walls in Resene Black White, feature wall in Half Duck Egg Blue, kitchen island in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, steel beams in Black Magic.
Walls in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, ceiling and outer wall in Black White.
Throughout the rest of the home, walls and ceilings are finished in Black White. The clean, neutral backdrop makes the smaller spaces feel larger and brighter. The soft matte finish in Resene SpaceCote Flat allows daylight, shadows and material textures to take centre stage.
The natural materials bring warmth and tactility to the home. The timber features, such as the dining ceiling in in Vitex and panelling in Ashin, are stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt which keeps the natural grain showing while avoiding yellowing. These light timber tones soften darker architecture and balance the cooler accents.
Exposed steelwork is finished in Resene Armourcote in the shade Black Magic introducing crisp definition. “The deep black sharpens junctions, providing a strong contrast against the light walls,” Madushin says. Outside, boundary fencing is also in the shade Black Magic using Resene Lumbersider which blends beautifully with the foliage.
“The palette is deliberately restrained. One calm accent, a unifying neutral, durable black steel for graphic structure, and warm, light timber.”
Exterior fence in Resene Black Magic.
The project also draws on shared principles between Te Aranga Design Principles and Sri Lankan Buddhist values, reflecting ideas of care, interdependence and stewardship. Beyond the property boundary, replacing a deteriorating fence with layered planting and a more open edge has improved safety, visibility and the experience of the adjoining reserve for neighbours and those visiting the park.
At its heart, Kate says the home reflects “a growing need in our cities – to provide quality, compact housing for an ageing population, within existing neighbourhoods and without compromising design integrity.”
design Construkt Architects
images Calvin Hui
Resene Pro Tip:
Protecting steel both inside and outside from degradation and corrosion is not an easy task. New Zealand is an island nation with most of our population living close to the sea. This means our atmosphere is salt laden and humid, both contributors to rust.
Resene has a wide range of protective systems designed mostly for specialist applicators. If you are building new or refurbishing exiting and planning on using steel, contact Resene Technical services for the most up to date advice and specifications.
Published: 18 Jun 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
