Renovations Additions and Repurposing
These types of project can be the most challenging and yet the most rewarding for us.
They start with an existing building that requires an upgrade.
We can work through what your options may be to maximize the potential of your property and any building on the site.
Perhaps sub-dividing could be the best option for you? We can very quickly come up with some design options that may make financial sense for you.
We have assisted a lot of clients who have properties damaged by earthquakes or that have been deemed earthquake prone by the local authorities.
We collaborate closely with structural engineers to determine the best course of action. Having an architect involved from the outset ensures a broader range of possibilities is considered.
Heritage buildings and character neighbourhoods are vital to our cultural identity and urban fabric.
We have worked extensively with heritage structures, guiding clients through the process of making their properties more resilient to New Zealand’s tectonic forces. As stewards of these buildings, our clients contribute to their legacy, enriching future generations and their communities.
Often, adaptive reuse or repurposing can breathe new life into a building while preserving the embodied carbon of its original construction. As demonstrated in one of our current projects, this approach can be the most sustainable, significantly reducing waste sent to landfills.
This section highlights a couple of our projects in Wellington.
Khandallah House Renovation
This project is a small but impactful renovation of a home overlooking Wellington Harbour, designed to transform its relationship with light and space.
While the images highlight its nighttime ambiance, the real breakthrough was unlocking its access to sunlight. Previously, the home’s orientation turned its back on the street, missing the warmth and brightness of the afternoon sun.
The redesign reconfigures the roofline, giving the house greater presence while allowing natural light to reach its core. Polished concrete floors help store solar heat during the day, releasing it at night for passive warmth.
In pursuit of greater self-sufficiency, rainwater harvesting was also thoroughly explored.
Given its location on a busy suburban street, the design carefully balances privacy, views, and sound insulation. Vertical slot windows offer controlled glimpses in and out, maintaining a connection with the surrounding environment.
A horizontal translucent lightbox enhances both the interior and exterior, casting a soft, ambient glow. Thoughtfully designed spaces ensure year-round usability, seamlessly linking indoor and outdoor living areas
Seatoun Water Tanks - Repurpose
Sometimes, the most sustainable approach to building is repurposing an existing structure.
The Seatoun Water Tanks served the public for decades before being decommissioned, standing as silent sentinels atop an exposed ridge.
Until now, only the occasional council maintenance worker has witnessed the breathtaking panoramic views they offer — stretching from the harbour entrance and airport to the surrounding hills and, on a clear day, the distant Kaikōura Ranges in Te Waipounamu, the South Island.
We have been commissioned to transform this structure into a habitable space—perhaps a brutalist concrete bolthole retreat?
The first step is to analyze the physical characteristics of these resilient tanks, which have withstood Wellington’s elements since the 1930s.
To inform our design, we have created a detailed 3D LiDAR scan (point cloud) of the site and structure, similar to the scans used in mapping the Titanic wreck.
This allows us to virtually explore the building with precision, identifying key opportunities and constraints.
Additionally, physical core samples of the reinforced concrete will be taken for scientific analysis. The process of discovery is both technical and inspiring.
Below are a few images captured from the scan, offering a glimpse into this unique transformation.
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