The upgrading and refurbishment of existing building stock has always formed an integral part of our work. The importance of this aspect of design from a sustainability, heritage and economic point of view is undeniable and is in-grained in the “Kiwi No. 8 wire, DIY” psyche.   

Our approach to altering existing buildings is dependent on the context and situation of each project. The design response, as well as meeting the clients’ needs, is seen as having to be appropriate to the building’s style, its neighbourhood context and often the regulatory framework of its location.  

These projects illustrate a range of approaches taken, with traditional forms being respected where they belong to the streetscape and where new forms and additions extend and allow the buildings to function in contemporary settings and lifestyles. 

Photography © Simon Devitt, Patrick Reynolds, Ross Keane