KELBURN HOUSE I
WELLINGTON

This addition and alteration of a traditional Kelburn villa connects the upstairs living areas to a private, east facing, rear courtyard, and includes new kitchen and family areas, and additional bedroom, and a series of landscaped terraces.

In response to the steep sloping bank rising to the east of the property, a new element was inserted into the existing villa, affecting the vertical scale of the interior space to create a greater connection with this rising topography, while at the same time respecting the original nature of the house.

By utilising a simple and contemporary timber clad form, a dialogue is created between the old and the new elements, with the original corners of the house remaining intact. A second element containing the additional bedroom is conceived as a plastered landscape block that connects the timber clad element to the landscape.

The formality of the original villa plan is carried through to the exterior, by way of a series of steps and plastered terraces that also provide a visual and physical connection with the rear of the property.