Stunning renovation wins supreme building award

This Issue This is a part of the Renovation feature

, Build 122

A 100-year-old cottage, once described as ‘shabby’ by its owner, has won a major national award for renovation.

Wellington specialist builder Pearson Group Ltd took out the PlaceMakers Supreme Award and Registered Master Builders 2010 Renovation of the Year for its work on this 1912 Wellington cottage. (Photographer Pete Nikolaison.)

A Wellington cottage dating back to the early part of last century has won the PlaceMakers Supreme Award and Registered Master Builders 2010 Renovation of the Year, one of the most coveted acknowledgements of building quality from the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards.

Judged as delightful

In conferring the award, the judges commented that the renovation of the delightful, architecturally designed Gray Young cottage was executed to perfection by specialist building contractor Pearson Group Ltd.

‘Renovation is all about seamless integration,’ notes the judges’ citation. ‘This renovation was faultless – you could not tell what had been altered, from the timber boards to the windows – and it was 100 years old. The original character has been retained and enhanced to meet the owner’s needs, including the retention of a fireplace discovered during demolition.’

‘Nothing could have been improved on – a stunning renovation.’

Keeping in character

The owner and Jasmax architect Philip Porritt were keen to retain the existing character of the 1912 cottage. In order to achieve this, the living spaces were opened up by removing a wall and a coal range, which had previously divided and diminished both kitchen and dining areas.

Cramped bathrooms were also fully renovated with new fittings. The use of uniform pale paint and carpet transformed every aspect of the home’s interior. A glass canopy integrated into the verandah acts as an extension from the kitchen and provides outdoor living and shelter against the prevailing winds.

Wellington specialist builder Pearson Group Ltd took out the PlaceMakers Supreme Award and Registered Master Builders 2010 Renovation of the Year for its work on this 1912 Wellington cottage. (Photographer Pete Nikolaison.)

Another notable feature of the home is the use of natural light, which was enhanced through the installation of larger windows in both lounge and living areas.

The 5-month renovation also included removal of a stove and wall and minor moves in the plan, seamlessly integrating a new floor with the old. The builder reused existing doors and made matching windows to fit into the existing fabric of the building. The living conditions were improved with the bathrooms and kitchen redesigned to be faithful to the original cottage.

‘While not the biggest renovation, it was superbly executed,’ concludes the judges’ citation. ‘It is a credit to the skill of the builder.’

Renovation nets another award

The renovation work also landed Pearson Group Ltd a category award – the PlaceMakers Renovation Award up to $250,000.

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Wellington specialist builder Pearson Group Ltd took out the PlaceMakers Supreme Award and Registered Master Builders 2010 Renovation of the Year for its work on this 1912 Wellington cottage. (Photographer Pete Nikolaison.)

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