Award-winning designer goes back to basics in 1950s family bach reno

Out with the new, in with the old – that was Mark Bruce’s renovation approach after buying this 1950s bach at Lake Rotoma, halfway between Rotorua and Whakatāne. A previous owner had given the place a wholesale 1970s remodelling, which struck Mark, an ardent fan of mid-century design and architecture, as a terrible mistake.