“LIGHT CATCHER” – TRANSFORMATIVE ARCHITECTURAL RENOVATION

Crafted by designer Jose Gutierrez, “Light Catcher” stands as a truly unique and transformative renovation. Its name aptly captures its essence, showcasing a mesmerising design. 

The timber flooring features a gently brushed Lithuanian hard-oak, exuding a sense of elegance. With its expansive 300mm wide planks, it not only adds a touch of theatricality but also forms a robust foundation for the space.

The timber used for this flooring is certified FSC, sourced sustainably and manufactured in Europe, adhering to the highest European standards of quality and ethics.

Timber Floor: Vienna Woods // Distilled Collection // Moscow Mule
Designer: @josegutierrez.ltd
Photographer: @samuel_hartnett

Vienna Woods Consultant: razvan@viennawoods.co.nz

 

 

 

View Jose Gutierrez work here.

For additional details regarding the Distilled collection, contact us.

Architectural Case Study: Distilled Collection European Oak Flooring in Point Chevalier

A Modern Extension Unified by European Oak Flooring

It was a privilege to work alongside the homeowners on this carefully considered modern extension in Point Chevalier. After living in the original front portion of the home for over a year, the brief was clear: create a seamless connection between the character of the existing villa and the clean architectural lines of the new extension.

The original street-facing rooms featured beautifully aged mataī floorboards, rich with history and patina. Rather than replicate the narrow board format, the owners chose a more refined approach — achieving cohesion through tone, finish, and material integrity instead of size alone.

Modern Renovations

Distilled Collection European Oak Flooring

The flooring solution for this project was selected from the Vienna Woods Distilled Collection, a European-made engineered oak flooring range developed for specification-led residential and commercial projects.

The existing mataī flooring in the original villa was sanded back and carefully colour-matched to a Distilled Collection European oak finish installed throughout the new extension. This approach allowed the junction between old and new spaces to remain visually resolved without replicating board dimensions or historic detailing.

Manufactured in Europe from slow-grown FSC-certified Lithuanian oak, the Distilled Collection is engineered for dimensional stability, durability, and consistency — key considerations for architects specifying timber flooring across connected interior spaces.

Beautifull Kitchen Wood Flooring

Durability, Compliance & Specification Confidence

The Distilled Collection has been developed to meet the technical and compliance requirements commonly expected in architectural specifications, while maintaining a restrained, contemporary oak aesthetic.

  • E3 compliant engineered timber flooring for low formaldehyde emissions
  • Listed on MasterSpec, supporting efficient and accurate specification
  • European-manufactured multi-layer construction for stability
  • Suitable for residential and selected commercial environments
  • Compatible with underfloor heating systems, subject to project specification

These attributes allow the Distilled Collection to be confidently specified where performance, indoor air quality, and long-term durability are required.

Distilled Collection European oak timber flooring in Point Chevalier home, made from Lithuanian oak

Colour Matching & Finish Flexibility

The Distilled Collection offers a controlled palette of European oak tones and finishes, allowing architects and designers to coordinate new flooring with existing materials such as heritage timber floors, bespoke joinery, or cabinetry.

This flexibility is particularly valuable in renovation and extension projects, where continuity between architectural eras must be carefully managed. Finish selection can be refined to support material transitions rather than draw attention to them.

View the full Distilled Collection European oak flooring range for available colours, formats, and technical information.

Distilled Collection European oak timber flooring in Point Chevalier home, Lithuanian oak

Architectural Timber Flooring for New Zealand Projects

Vienna Woods works closely with architects and specifiers to support timber flooring selection, documentation, and compliance across New Zealand projects. Our European oak flooring ranges are supplied with technical data, MasterSpec listings, and specification guidance to streamline the design and consent process.

Considering European Oak Flooring for Your Project?

If you are exploring engineered timber flooring for a residential or architectural project, our team can assist with product selection, technical data, and specification support.

Speak with a Vienna Woods consultant to discuss your project requirements.

Project Details

Product: Vienna Woods – Distilled Collection European Oak Flooring

Location: Point Chevalier, Auckland

Images: @markscowen_photography

Vienna Woods Project Consultant: damon@viennawoods.co.nz

Lithuanian Oak Flooring in Auckland Apartment

French 75, part of the prestigious Vienna Woods Distilled Collection, exemplifies the height of luxury and craftsmanship in oak flooring. Located in an elegant Auckland residential space, this project highlights the timeless beauty and versatility of oak, making it the ideal choice for those who value both aesthetics and durability in their interior design.

Distilled Collection French-1

Client Brief; “Hard-Wearing Smokey Oak Floors”:

The client sought to create a living space that exuded warmth, sophistication, and a touch of European flair. They desired a flooring solution that would not only complement their modern, minimalist decor but also stand the test of time in terms of style and resilience. After careful consideration, the French 75 oak flooring from Vienna Woods was selected to bring their vision to life.

Distilled Collection French-2

Timber Flooring Solution:

The French 75 oak flooring, characterised by its subtle grain patterns and light, natural grey tones, was chosen for its ability to enhance the overall ambience of the space without overpowering the other design elements. Engineered for both beauty and durability, this oak flooring offers the perfect balance between form and function.

The high-quality materials used in the French 75 collection ensure that the flooring is not only visually appealing but also highly resistant to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.

 

Distilled Collection French -3

Results:

The finished space reflects the client’s aspirations, with the French 75 oak flooring adding a layer of understated elegance to the home. The light tones of the flooring help to create a sense of openness and brightness, while the natural oak grain adds texture and depth. The durability of the engineered oak ensures that this flooring will maintain its pristine condition for years to come, offering both beauty and functionality.

The client expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the oak flooring exceeded their expectations in both appearance and performance. The French 75 project stands as a testament to the quality and craftsmanship that Vienna Woods is known for, providing a flooring solution that is both stylish and enduring.

This project is an excellent example of quality and style, showcasing the versatility of oak flooring, highlighting its ability to transform a space into a warm, inviting, and sophisticated environment. Whether for residential or commercial applications, Vienna Woods’ oak flooring offers a timeless solution that meets the highest standards of design and durability.

 

Distilled Collection // Client Chooses Hard-wearing Lithuanian Oak Flooring

Vienna Woods customer Sigita Kupača from Sigita Design shares her inspiration behind her renovations of her New Zealand home and the sentimental reason behind her choosing from the Distilled Collection of European made Lithuanian oak for her flooring.

Why did you choose this Vienna Woods flooring? 

I am from Latvia, a small country on the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Estonia. In Latvia we have a lot of dense, rich forests. I chose the Grand Oak, Distilled Collection flooring because it is sourced from Lithuanian oak, the same oak I grew up surrounded by. This hard-wearing wood was also used on my school floors, which I would polish during the school holidays when I was a child, so it is very sentimental to me. I wanted to bring a taste of my childhood to my home in New Zealand.

What was your inspiration when designing your home? 

I knew I wanted to create a home that would suit our everyday life – it needed to fit in with us, not the other way around.

I am not a fan of having to take my shoes off just because I am in the house, I wanted both myself and my guests to be able to walk around in my home in heels or boots without concern. The Grand Oak is a very durable product so allows for this daily treatment without any damage. The extreme cold winters in Eastern Europe slows the growth of the oak to produce a very hard, dense wood. As a result, the oak’s extreme hardness provides a very durable floor that is easy to live with.

What was the overall look and feel you were trying to achieve?

I wanted to incorporate a contemporary flair into the design of my home, with the deliberate use of texture and big open spaces, with plenty of room to move and breathe within them. I was trying to achieve a look of simplicity and subtle sophistication. I wanted lots of clean, architectural lines, with natural accents and  splashes of colour to help evoke a warmth and welcoming environment.  The beautiful hardwood flooring, is in a way the hero of our home, so the colours I have used throughout the house along with the interior design have all been carefully chosen to complement the neutral tones of the Vienna Woods Distilled Collection, Oak floorboards.

Engineered Timber Flooring: Vienna Woods /// Distilled Collection /// French 75