5 - City Villa Renovation



This Ashton Rd renovation has been an evolving project for the owners for the last 27 years.
Initial alterations to upgrade and expand the original 1912 Villa have been gradually overtaken with a Master Plan that has seen a full renovation and enhancement of the home.



The Brief:
-to enhance the clients lifestyle while responding to the needs of a growing family
-an ‘urban retreat’ that allowed comfortable indoor-outdoor living in the city
-open planned family space opening to a terrace, pool and landscaped area
-double garage and workshop, internal access
-develop and maximise the attic space for sleeping/craft area/office
-new master suite, ensuite bathroom



The design outcome has been to respond to the transitional villa style externally while offering a comfortable relaxing interior, modern yet respectful and complementary of the original aesthetics and feel. The exterior has become a private oasis utilising native landscaping and themes.



It has a ‘Pacific’ feel that is fresh and open, with high sloping beamed ceilings, large bi-folding doors and use of natural timbers and subdued finishes.   Elements successfully integrated include new granite kitchen surfaces, kauri flooring, cedar joinery, coloured glass and sliding windows. The feature light was designed and steel-artist commissioned, along with the front gate and pool fencing.
New bathrooms included contemporary fittings and finishes, porcelain tiles, stone shower base, Graphic Glass shower screens imprinted with personalised photo images.



The design pushed the Town Planning rules to the limit on this 500m2 site resulting in a 330m2 home plus terrace areas. These are designed around passive solar (energy) principles, maximising sun and heat during winter while offering shaded cooler spaces in the summer. Collection of rainwater for garden use is included, with the future provision for harvesting for toilet and laundry areas.
The design has allowed for the future installation of solar hot water heating and pool heating with large areas of north facing roof.