Intro

This home sits within a narrow, cascading site in Wellington’s character suburb of Mt Victoria.

Studio Pacific was commissioned to renovate the existing pre-1900s two-storey villa and add a contemporary living pavilion that maximises connection with the outdoor space and leafy garden beyond.

The renovation included a reconfiguration of the original house to take advantage of the long and sloping site – balancing a desire for contemporary space with the heritage fabric of the original structure.

The resulting design creates a series of dynamic spaces that transition between old and new, cascading from street level into the garden.

New interventions with the original house are clad in black stained timber which contrasts with the white painted rusticated weatherboards of the existing villa.

A large five-metre-tall natural oak screen borders the new staircase in the heart of the living pavilion addition.

The black stained timber from the exterior is carried through into the interiors to create a well-considered and limited colour palette that harmoniously fuses the architectural elements together.

The brief

The brief was to renovate the existing house and to add a contemporary addition that maximises the connection to the under-utilised outdoor space at the rear of the site for a family of seven.

Challenges included reconfiguring the existing house taking advantage of the narrow and sloping site; and balancing the desire for a contemporary space with the heritage fabric of the original structure.

The result is a series of dynamic spaces that transitions between old and new as it traverses the long cascading site.

Entry is through the original front before arriving at a new study at the top of a contemporary living pavilion.

The living pavilion incorporates the kitchen, dining and living spaces.

Original condition of home and reason for renovation

The original home, a pre-1900s two-storey villa in Mt Victoria, had seen better days.

Set on a long, narrow site, the house needed considerable attention to meet the needs of a modern family.

The owners – keen to preserve the villa’s heritage while creating a home fit for their family of seven – sought to breathe new life into the structure while making better use of the under-utilised rear garden.

Design challenges

Working with a narrow, sloping site in a character area presented several challenges.

The design needed to balance contemporary living requirements with the heritage character of the existing villa, while navigating planning constraints, including height-to-boundary rules.

A major challenge was how to transition between old and new across such a complex topography – and do so in a way that felt seamless and natural.

Design response

The home unfolds along the length of the site, stepping down in a series of interconnected spaces.

Entry remains through the original villa, which leads to a new study space and opens onto a double-height contemporary living pavilion.

This layout not only respects the site’s slope and character but also strengthens the connection to the surrounding garden, allowing for light, openness and privacy across different zones.

 

Material selection/method of construction

The materiality is an interplay of the black stained raw timber that is an expression of the new with the white painted rusticated weather boards of the old.

The black stained timber that screens the exterior is carried through into the new pavilion where it seamlessly fuses the architectural elements together.

This darker tone recedes into the background, highlighting the spatial volumes and forms.

A striking five-metre-high oak screen punctuates the living pavilion, anchoring the space and drawing on the warmth and texture of natural timber.

New interventions with the original house are clad in black and contrast the white of the existing villa.

The new black elements are punctuated by a 5m-high oak floor-to-ceiling screen in the heart of the pavilion.

New interventions and interior finishes are considered and drawn from a limited colour palette.

Sustainability 

Sustainability was embedded throughout the project.

Choosing to refurbish rather than rebuild was a conscious decision that prioritised retention and reuse.

The existing villa was strengthened, re-insulated and fitted with double glazing, while the new addition features high insulation, a thermally efficient concrete slab, and low-energy fittings.

Solar shading reduces heat gain, and all materials were selected with performance and sustainability in mind.

Living pavilion

The living pavilion forms the heart of the new home – a generous, double-height space that brings together kitchen, dining and living areas.

It’s a place where the family can connect across visual and physical thresholds, with sightlines extending into different parts of the house and garden.

It’s both open and intimate, designed for gathering, play, and moments of quiet reflection.

Balancing heritage with contemporary design

Rather than mimic or compete with the original villa, the new addition offers a respectful contrast.

The old and new are clearly legible, yet connected – through material palette, spatial rhythm, and thoughtful transitions.

This approach allows the home to evolve with its occupants while honouring its past, offering a layered and enduring architectural story.

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