Brougham Street

Mt Victoria

Wellington

THE PROJECT

The Brougham St project presented the challenging scenario of rehabilitating an old 1920's Victorian villa from a set of four flats converted in the 1990's back to the grandeur of the past. The villa was in poor condition but had retained the bones to become something great.

THE CHALLENGE

The conversion back to a house required the removal of all dropped ceilings, removal of all kitchens and bathrooms that had been added to the flats. The previous conversion had also added in newer aluminium windows which were not in keeping with the age of the villa. The villa had four garages added at some point in the history which provided a large terrace at ground floor level.

THE DESIGN

As part of the extensive renovation, walls were removed to create two large bedrooms to the front of the dwelling with walk in robes and ensuites and 3 equally large bedrooms sharing a newly renovated bathroom. Decks were added to the upper levels to provide exterior access to the master bedroom and the upstairs bedrooms. Downstairs the rooms were reconfigured to realign with the Victorian layout of a great room with kitchen and dining alongside, to the rear a living room and theatre space were established. Two downstairs WCs were added along a corridor which lead to a long sun room which accessed a very private outdoor courtyard, sheltered from the Wellington wind. A new kitchen was installed as well as replacement of all electrical, audio visual, heating and services.

All of the windows were replaced with salvaged windows fitting to the age of the build. Each window was selected for size and proportion to ensure the architectural integrity of the villa was maintained. The porch area had been closed in and was opened up, creating a grand sheltered porch and a new door was designed and fabricated from traditional designs fitting to the villa style of the era including new lead lighting panels. Original flooring was repaired, polished and all ornate detailing where existing was replicated, including large profiled skirting and architraves and the interior painted to reinvigorate the villa. The exterior was painted in a striking palette and exterior finishes and landscaping introduced.

THE OUTCOMES 

The Brougham St project showed that with the open collaboration between the client, architect and the builder even extreme renovations can have great outcomes.

In this instance, the client took a significant risk in developing up the villa but ultimately saved a beautiful building from further deterioration.