SELWYN VILLA EXTENSION & RENOVATION

A sensitive renovation that delivers modern living without losing the charm of a turn-of-the-century villa. The brief focused on opening up the kitchen, living, and dining areas, improving indoor–outdoor flow, and adding a walk-in robe and ensuite — all while the homeowners remained living on site.

Through early design collaboration, careful staging, and bespoke detailing, old and new now blend seamlessly. The result is a light-filled, entertainer-friendly home that feels true to its origins.

Modern living, without losing what made the home special.
Selwyn character villa renovated and extended with preserved period detailing and modern living spaces

THE OVERVIEW

Project Type: Renovation & Extension of Character Home

Location: Selwyn, Canterbury

Services: Design collaboration, construction, site management

THE BRIEF

This turn-of-the-century villa was full of classic character. The homeowners wanted more space, better flow, and modern comforts — while protecting the character and craftsmanship that made their turn-of-the-century villa so special. Improving indoor–outdoor living and adding a walk-in robe and ensuite were key priorities, — all while remaining sensitive to the age, charm, and integrity of the home.

THE CHALLENGE

Renovating a character home requires care, experience, and thoughtful problem-solving:

  • Creating modern, functional spaces without losing original character
  • Designing and crafting a high number of bespoke elements that felt true to the home.
  • Integrating new finishes into an older structure with inherent quirks
  • Carefully staging the works to maintain a good standard of living, as the clients remained in the home throughout the build

OUR APPROACH

From the early design stages, we worked closely with both the client and designer to reduce risk and ensure the right decisions were made:

  • Selecting materials and finishes that respected the home’s period
  • Sequencing and staging the build to maintain a liveable home at all times
  • Installing temporary weather protection to keep the house secure and dry
  • Maintaining clear communication and listening closely to deliver on the client’s special, custom details

Regular coordination and a calm, methodical approach helped keep the project running smoothly.

THE OUTCOME

Old and new now blend seamlessly, with light-filled interior spaces flowing naturally into generous outdoor entertaining areas. Our builders and fabricator designed and crafted a range of bespoke features, including a built-in bedhead, custom steel exterior lights, bar leaners, and a Celtic knot detail incorporated into the spacious deck.

The result is a home that works effortlessly for everyday living and entertaining, while still feeling true to its origins — a classic villa reimagined for modern life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Early collaboration between designer and builder leads to better outcomes for both finish and budget
  • Clear communication is essential on owner-occupied builds — it is someone’s home, after all
  • Experience and problem-solving are critical when blending new construction with old

WHAT THE CLIENT SAID

From the very beginning, Strathclyde understood what we were trying to achieve with our villa. They respected the character of the home while helping us create spaces that work beautifully for modern living. Living in the house throughout the build could have been stressful, but the team communicated clearly, staged the work thoughtfully, and made the whole process feel manageable. The craftsmanship in the finished details speaks for itself, and we couldn’t be happier with the result

Thinking about renovating a character home?

Talk to us early — we’ll help you protect what matters and plan with confidence.

Project Address
Brief outline of project.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 4 files.
Please feel free to include any plans and/or photos that might be helpful.

GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
SECURE YOUR SPOT

Call Scott Today:
03 420 1455​