Client Goals & Ambitions
The clients loved their 1920s home but needed it to work for a growing family. The brief was to modernise the kitchen, dining room, laundry and separate toilet while holding onto the character that made the house special. A more open, functional layout would bring the kitchen and living spaces together, creating a social heart for everyday family life and entertaining. The goal was a renovation that respected the home's heritage while delivering the comfort of modern living.
Challenges
A century-old home rarely stays straight. Much of the original timber framing was bowed, twisted and out of plumb, and decades of wear had left sections of timber rotten. The lower-level walls needed rebuilding while the upper storey remained in place above them. All of this had to result in perfectly straight walls and floors, ready for the precise installation of new kitchen cabinetry and laundry joinery.
How We Overcame These Challenges
The clients' architect had completed the design before our first conversation, so close collaboration was key to executing that vision faithfully. The upper storey was temporarily braced while the lower-level framing was rebuilt. Deteriorated timber was replaced and the existing framing carefully straightened, giving the renovation a sound and accurate foundation. Careful planning and sequencing kept the structural integrity of the home intact throughout.
Why This Project Was a Success
An enclosed, outdated layout has become a bright, open and functional living space. The new kitchen, dining area, laundry and toilet now support the way the family actually lives, with a central gathering space where family and friends can cook, eat and spend time together. Significant structural challenges were resolved without losing the character of the original home. The close working relationship between the clients, their architect and our team meant the finished result stayed true to the original design, and exceeded the clients' expectations for quality and function.
