Monk Mackenzie pairs Fisher & Paykel kitchen with panoramic Auckland living

An eight-apartment building in Auckland’s Herne Bay demonstrates how integrated kitchen design can anchor contemporary apartment living, with Monk Mackenzie and developer Artifact placing Fisher & Paykel appliances at the centre of a carefully composed interior language.

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Perched on a ridgeline and capturing sweeping views across the Waitematā Harbour and the Waitākere Ranges, Jervois Apartments reflects a planning approach shaped by density shifts under the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Monk Mackenzie co-founder Hamish Monk notes the project as an early response to the area’s re-zoning, allowing for greater height and more considered urban living.

Within each residence, kitchens are conceived as part of an open plan social core rather than a separate functional zone. Interior designer Amelia Holmes tailored the layouts around downsizers who still prioritise entertaining, resulting in generous island benches that define the space and extend into informal bar seating. These connect directly to outdoor decks, reinforcing the relationship between interior and exterior living.

Material selection is restrained but tactile. Dark-stained oak cabinetry is paired with natural slate benchtops, offering durability and textural contrast, while vertical surfaces alternate between grey marble and timber detailing. The overall effect is grounded and cohesive, with appliances intentionally receding into the architectural backdrop.

Sophie Wylie from Monk Mackenzie says the intent was to avoid visual clutter. “We didn’t want the appliances to have prominence,” she says. “Fisher & Paykel products are minimal and clean, and worked well with the dark stain of the oak and the aesthetic we wanted.”

Fisher & Paykel wall ovens are integrated at eye level, supported by twin DishDrawer dishwashers positioned either side of the sink to eliminate unnecessary bending. A column fridge freezer and adjacent wine storage are concealed within tall joinery, positioned beside a butler’s pantry that allows for discreet food preparation during entertaining.

The brand’s understated design approach aligns with the project’s broader architectural intent. Founded in New Zealand in 1934, Fisher & Paykel has become synonymous with seamless kitchen integration, a quality echoed throughout Jervois Apartments where functionality and restraint define the spatial experience.

Elsewhere, a compact laundry continues the material language of the kitchen, with graphite Fisher & Paykel appliances stacked vertically to maximise space efficiency.

Images via Dezeen