Villa Renovation in Ponsonby - Video Tour

Situated in one of Ponsonby’s Special Character areas, this project pairs careful conservation with confident, contemporary living. The brief was two-fold: restore the original villa’s street presence with respect and precision, and transform the interior to suit the rhythm of modern family life. Our response preserves what matters, clarifies what’s new, and elevates everyday living.

The villa’s original façade and key heritage elements were reinstated with a light touch. Traditional proportions, detailing and silhouette are retained, ensuring the home continues to sit comfortably within its historic streetscape.

A finely scaled rear extension forms the social centre of the home: an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that opens wide to the garden. Oriented to the north and north-west, the addition is designed to harvest daylight from morning through late afternoon. Generous openings link directly to a private, sun-washed deck and a lush back garden, setting up an easy indoor–outdoor flow for family time and entertaining.

Inside, circulation and sightlines allow the original villa to unfold into the new wing with ease. High ceilings are carried through, maintaining the gracious proportions of the heritage rooms while lending the extension a calm, uplifting scale. A restrained palette of crisp white walls offers a quiet backdrop, and the retained timber floorboards ground the home in its history.

In the kitchen, bespoke cabinetry in natural timber tones introduces warmth and tactility. Detailing is purposeful and pared-back, delivering generous storage and robust functionality without distraction. The material language threads throughout the new spaces, ensuring a cohesive experience.

The completed home feels both timeless and freshly resolved: characterful at the front, effortless at the back. It honours Ponsonby’s architectural legacy while embracing the comforts and connections that define contemporary family life — proof that thoughtful design can bridge eras with grace.