Contemporary kitchen renovation within a heritage villa, designed by Upoko Architects as part of a residential alteration project.

Small Alterations to a Wellington Villa

A new kitchen, dining room and bathroom to a character villa in Wellington.

This small scaled project involved thoughtful alterations to a characterful inner-city villa in Wellington, introducing a new kitchen, dining area, studio, and bathroom to support contemporary living.

Custom built-in shelving integrated into the interior architecture as part of a residential renovation.
Custom built-in shelving integrated into the interior architecture as part of a residential renovation.
Custom-designed built-in shelving providing integrated storage within a residential interior renovation.

The owners’ deep appreciation for the home’s heritage guided the design approach.


Original wall linings and timber detailing were carefully retained, preserving the texture and craftsmanship that define the villa’s character.

New additions were designed to sit comfortably within this context, complementary in scale and proportion, yet expressed in a refined contemporary language. The result is a cohesive evolution of a uniquely Wellington home, where old and new work together to continue its story.

A light and clean new bathroom

A new bathroom has been added at the centre of the house, featuring a bright, clean design and material selections that match and respect the original home.

Photos : Jason Mann Photography