Transforming a Historic Bach-Style Property

Transforming a Historic Bach-Style Property banner
About

Region
Days Bay, Wellington
Year of completion
2021
Price range to build
$0 - $0.25m
Building style
Cottage
Client
John Burrell
Awards
New Zealand Architect Bathroom of the Year - 2022

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Unique Challenges and Solutions
The steep access, involving several flights of stairs, posed significant logistical challenges. Transporting materials up and down the site was a labor-intensive process. The old bach-style house had grown organically over the years, with each floor added in stages, requiring us to address uneven walls and floors to ensure a polished finish.
The laundry was located in a tight spot with limited access via a small cavity slider. We had to deconstruct the washing machine and dryer, removing doors and tops, and skilfully manoeuvre them into place.

Award-Winning Bathroom
The crowning achievement of this renovation was the main bathroom, which won an award in 2022. The architect noted:
"Working with an already renovated property in Eastbourne, the brief was to fully upgrade the three existing wet rooms of the house within the desired look. Being a typical Eastbourne, artistically influenced bach-style property, each of these three rooms had quirky windows giving amazing views of Wellington Harbour. The challenge was to successfully incorporate these windows into the new plan and provide an understated, finished result that focused attention on them as a design feature.

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Transforming the Property
We renovated three key areas: a main bathroom on the top floor, a laundry/toilet on the middle floor, and a bathroom on the bottom floor. The new design emphasized the stunning harbor views from each room, incorporating the quirky windows as a focal point. The bathroom’s understated elegance and thoughtful incorporation of natural light and views set it apart, earning industry recognition.
The American oak vanity top in the main bathroom extends in both directions, forming a handy shelf above the end of the bath on one side, contributing to the room’s unique charm.
The TIDA judges noted that the renovation resulted in pleasant, light, and bright spaces to bathe, relax, and enjoy the bush and harbor views. Chevron Blanco tiles were installed in a subway tile format as the splashback in all three rooms.

Client Satisfaction
Our clients were thrilled with the transformation. Despite the challenges, we delivered a result that exceeded their expectations, blending modern functionality with the bach’s historic charm. The newly created spaces are now cherished parts of their home, enjoyed daily and praised for their beauty and practicality.

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About the
Professional

At KiwiBuilt, we are passionate about preserving the charm and character of old villas. Our expert team specialises in architectural design, construction, and building maintenance, bringing a meticulous touch to every project. We blend traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to ensure that each renovation honoUrs the past while meeting today's standards.

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