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Administrator House.

An award-winning heritage restoration by Rogan Nash Architects that breathes new life into a landmark 1925 Auckland building, carefully balancing historic character with contemporary commercial use.

Title:: Administrator House
Architect:: Rogan Nash Architects
Category:: Commercial/; Interiors
Completed:: 2023
Price range:: $1m - $2m
Building style:: Classic
Client:: Commercial Office and Gallery
Photographers:: Rogan Nash Architects
Simon Wilson

Recipient of a Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Heritage Award, Administrator House is a carefully considered restoration and adaptive reuse of one of Auckland's historic commercial buildings. Located on O'Connell Street in the heart of the CBD, the project transforms a heritage-listed 1925 building into a contemporary gallery and commercial workplace while celebrating its rich architectural legacy.

Originally built for Alliance Assurance, the two-storey landmark forms an important part of Auckland's historic streetscape. The brief was to modernise the building for contemporary use while respecting its protected heritage fabric. Working alongside a comprehensive seismic upgrade, the design carefully integrates new services, accessibility and modern workplace requirements with minimal intervention to the original architecture.

The restoration celebrates the craftsmanship of the original building through the careful conservation of historic elements, including ornate plaster ceilings, Oamaru limestone, Nelson marble and period detailing. New interventions are intentionally restrained and finely crafted, allowing contemporary materials to sit comfortably alongside the heritage fabric. Throughout the building, lighting, services and technology have been discreetly integrated to preserve the architectural integrity of the interiors.

The ground floor now provides an elegant gallery and event space, while the upper level accommodates contemporary offices, meeting rooms and staff amenities. Bespoke detailing, carefully restored finishes and a refined material palette create interiors that feel both timeless and highly functional, demonstrating how heritage buildings can successfully evolve to meet modern expectations.

Administrator House is an exemplar of adaptive reuse, demonstrating that thoughtful heritage architecture can preserve cultural significance while creating vibrant places for contemporary life. The project has been recognised with a Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Heritage Award for its sensitive restoration, innovative problem-solving and outstanding contribution to Auckland's built heritage.

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Project Gallery

Administrator House presents a distinguished heritage façade of finely crafted stone masonry complemented by restored black steel joinery. The careful restoration preserves the building's historic character while supporting its contemporary commercial use.

The entrance hall has been carefully restored with new heritage-inspired floor tiles, conserved stone walls, feature lighting and refreshed panelled walls and ceilings, creating a welcoming arrival sequence.

The floor plan illustrates the careful adaptive reuse of Administrator House, balancing the preservation of significant heritage spaces with the introduction of contemporary gallery, office and meeting facilities. The award-winning design respectfully integrates modern functionality within the building's historic fabric, ensuring the character of this landmark Auckland building is retained for future generations.

The gallery combines original architectural detailing with contemporary exhibition lighting. Decorative plaster ceilings, timber flooring and wall panelling create an elegant setting for art and events.

Viewed towards the street, the gallery retains its grand proportions and finely crafted heritage detailing. Restored finishes provide a timeless backdrop for exhibitions while allowing natural light to animate the interior.

The original staircase has been carefully restored, celebrating its stone treads, black steel balustrade and dark timber handrail. New lighting highlights the craftsmanship while complementing the building's historic character.

A close-up of the staircase reveals beautifully restored stonework alongside heritage-inspired patterned floor tiles. The carefully selected materials create a seamless dialogue between original craftsmanship and contemporary intervention.

The gallery's richly detailed corner showcases polished timber floors, decorative wall panelling and ornate plasterwork. Carefully curated lighting and artwork demonstrate how the historic interiors have been successfully adapted for contemporary use.

The office meeting room combines contemporary workplace design with the character of the original building. Timber flooring, acoustic ceilings, curated artwork and a generous meeting table create a refined and highly functional workspace.

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Products used

TIP-ON BLUMOTION for TANDEMBOXBlum New Zealand

Lattice™Autex Acoustics

Resene Whites & Neutrals Collection and Total Colour SystemResene

Professionals used

Rogan Nash ArchitectsArchitectsGrey Lynn, Auckland

Haydn & RollettCarpenters & CabinetmakersAuckland

Autex AcousticsManufacturers and SuppliersAvondale, Auckland

CUSTOM DESIGNS

REVERBERATION CALCULATIONS

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CUSTOM DESIGNS

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Blum New ZealandManufacturers and SuppliersAvondale, Auckland

CABINETRY HARDWARE

SPECIFICATION SUPPORT

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CABINETRY HARDWARE

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ECCManufacturers and SuppliersAuckland

TRENZSEATERManufacturers and SuppliersAuckland

PlumblineManufacturers and SuppliersWellington

Brown & Thomson Consulting EngineersStructural EngineersAuckland

Rogan Nash Architects

Architects

Grey Lynn, Auckland

rogannash.com

Rogan Nash Architects. Architecture for a lifetime of living. Rogan Nash Architects is an award-winning Auckland based residential architecture and interiors practice, founded by Directors Kate Rogan and Eva Nash, both New Zealand registered architects and Fellows of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, bringing twenty-five years of experience each to every project. We work with private clients on new homes and renovations across greater Auckland, from heritage villa and bungalow transformations in Herne Bay and Remuera to holiday homes on Waiheke Island, in the Coromandel, and at Mount Maunganui. Considered once, loved for a lifetime, our work has been recognised with a New Zealand Institute of Architects Heritage Award for Administrator House, multiple awards for our houses including the New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Architecture Award for Open + Shut on Waiheke Island. We guide every project from concept through to construction, with a quiet, sensory approach to design that responds closely to how our clients actually want to live.