It’s really quite hard to believe that inside this 1900s villa is a Balinese-style oasis, complete with a sauna and its own pool house. And the best part is that the owners of Norwest Build have been invited back to enjoy it with the occupants, as their clients were known to them and have become close friends.
This large scale renovation won them a Regional Gold award as well as being placed in the Top 100 for the Registered Master Builders House of the Year 2023, in the Renovation over $1.5 million category for Auckland/Northland/Coromandel. The national awards of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year 2023 will be announced in November, and judges will be looking at all the Top 100 winners again
more closely.
Located in Grey Lynn, the front of this old villa has been carefully restored, including the filagree and verandah, but once you step inside, then it truly is a whole new world. Owned by a family with young children who are big on entertaining, their love of the islands is evident throughout, having been married in Bali, creating a subtropical hideaway in the middle of the city. Creating modern luxe elements into a character home was a huge lesson in meshing some of the old with the new, and there were plenty of challenges along the way. The house has expanded from three bedrooms and just one bathroom to now include four bedrooms, two lounges, an entertainment room, three bathrooms and an ensuite.
A whole lot of detail in just 302 sqm, an old apartment downstairs has also been demolished and turned into sauna room with attached bathroom. Shiplap weatherboards are a huge feature inside the house on the five-metre-high gable ceiling, along with negative detailing between ceiling and walls. Concealed doors hide a mini bar and state-of-the art kitchen with scullery, and features a brass cavity slider door. The kitchen benchtop is a Neolith – engineered stone imported from Europe that can withstand high temperatures, and there is another lovely piece on the fireplace hearth as well. Hemlock cedar has been used in the kitchen, dining room and lounge ceilings, because with that much glass around it generates heat. Norwest Build owner Kyle Campbell said it was an extremely technical build and as the project progressed, they were faced with many unexpected challenges. Only one part of the hallway is original because it had to be ripped up and straightened, and when they opened up the roof they found an old fireplace that had burnt out some of the framing.
The 14-month build was tackled through Covid-19 restrictions, which was a challenge in itself, but the result for both owner and builder has been well worth it. Kyle learned his trade almost 20 years ago through his father John, who taught him how to build to a very high standard. The father-son team built homes all over Auckland and in 2003 moved to San Francisco to build for a client there. Upon his return to New Zealand, Kyle worked for an award winning builder who has now retired, and then started his own business. Teaming up with his partner Veronica Shumack, who is an experienced project manager, the couple have established a company that specialises in providing quality workmanship, strong project management with high levels of customer communication, flexibility and a dedication towards being well informed.