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The Reimagined
Bungalow
LOWER HUTT, WELLINGTON
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION
A smarter layout. A better way to live.
This Lower Hutt renovation was about making better use of the space already available.
With the home's footprint remaining largely unchanged, the interior was extensively reconfigured to create more practical living spaces, an additional bedroom, a new ensuite and an updated family bathroom.
By removing and repositioning walls and finding new uses for existing rooms, the home now has a layout that better suits the owners while retaining the character of the original property.
Lower Hutt
Interior renovation and reconfiguration
Single-storey timber-framed home
New ensuite, updated family bathroom, additional bedroom, improved family and dining spaces, relocated windows, and upgraded interior finishes
Project Details
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The Brief
The existing home had three bedrooms, a separate lounge and dining room, one bathroom, a separate toilet, and a laundry near the centre of the house.
There was plenty of floor area, but the way it was divided no longer worked particularly well for the homeowners.
The brief was to rethink the existing layout to create an additional bedroom, introduce a private ensuite, and improve the connection between the family and dining areas, without undertaking a large extension.
The Challenge
Our Approach
Reconfiguring the home
Several internal walls needed to be removed or repositioned, including walls supporting parts of the ceiling and roof structure. New beams, ceiling runners, and relocated roof supports were required to accommodate the new layout.
Uneven floor levels
Different parts of the house had different floor levels. The existing family room floor was raised to meet the adjoining spaces, creating a safer and more seamless transition through the new family and dining area.
New wet areas
The bathroom and ensuite needed to be incorporated into the existing floor plan, requiring careful coordination of the framing, plumbing, drainage, ventilation and waterproofing.
The renovation began with carefully stripping out the areas affected by the new layout. Where possible, existing doors, windows, skirtings, and native timber elements were salvaged for reuse, helping the new work sit naturally alongside the original home.
The former family room was opened up to create a much larger family and dining space, incorporating areas previously occupied by the laundry, bathroom, and toilet. The floor was raised to meet the adjoining rooms so the finished space flowed naturally through the home.
Part of the original dining area was repurposed as another bedroom, while the former lounge became a generous guest bedroom.
At the other end of the house, the existing bathroom, separate toilet, laundry, and surrounding rooms were extensively reconfigured to make the new layout possible. Existing windows were also relocated where practical, with those used in the new wet areas reglazed in obscure safety glass and upgraded to double glazing.
BEFORE & AFTER
Rather than simply adding more floor area, the renovation focused on making the existing rooms work harder and using the available space more effectively
The Result
The finished home has a much better balance between shared living areas and private spaces.
The reconfigured layout provides a larger family and dining area, an additional bedroom, and improved storage, while the new ensuite gives the homeowners greater privacy, and the redesigned family bathroom provides a more practical space for everyday use.
Most importantly, the renovation has made better use of the home the owners already had. Through careful planning and a substantial internal reconfiguration, it was adapted to suit their changing needs without requiring a major extension.
From the very beginning, Kevin and Andrew took the time to meet with me and my designer to ensure we all shared the same vision, both for the finished home and the process to get there. Their knowledge and experience gave me confidence, and throughout the project, they were always available to answer questions, explain my options, and help me make informed decisions.
They understood the stresses that come with renovating, remained patient and approachable throughout, and maintained high expectations of both their team and subcontractors. Their commitment to health and safety was also evident at every stage.
I am delighted with the finished result and would confidently recommend Orkney Construction to anyone planning a renovation.
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- Homeowner, Lower Hutt