The journey of transforming a modern home into a replica of an early 1900s design has come to a successful conclusion, thanks to the incredible efforts of Kiwi Built team, led by the dedicated Corey Brown. Located in Kelburn, Wellington, this two-storey villa is a masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship, boasting a spacious 350sqm area with an additional 100sqm garage.
Reflecting on this monumental project, Corey Brown shared, "It’s the best job I’ve ever had. This is the sort of build we have been aiming towards so it’s a great feeling.” This sentiment perfectly captures the passion and dedication that went into every aspect of this unique build.
Breaking ground in April, this high-end project aimed for completion just in time for Christmas. It was not without its challenges, as Corey and his team navigated the complexities of a tight site and various construction nuances. "There was a huge amount of planning involved and so many different aspects to this build,” Corey explained. "We had a lot of different types of flooring—concrete in places, but then timber laid above. Normally flooring is one of the last things you do, but not on this build. The doors and joinery also went in at an early stage.”
An interesting aspect of this build is the use of recycled materials, giving the home an authentic touch of history. Corey mentioned, "The only ‘old’ part of the house is the flooring. We’ve used a lot of recycled materials. We got the Matai (black pine) out of the old barracks at Shelley Bay, which is 80 - 100 years old and have used that on this build. That is very hard to come by and fits with the client too, because his father was in the defence force and he used to play in those old rooms as a kid.”
This reuse of materials not only adds character to the home but also breathes new life into the rich history of the early 1900s. "It’s nice to be working on something with a bit of character and reclaiming and reusing materials like the Matai, really builds on that and helps to bring it to life,” Corey added.
The 1910’s era is a challenging style to replicate, but the Kiwi Built team has managed to achieve stunning results. Corey proudly stated, “We are very pleased with the results, this home really shows what we are capable of and I’m so proud of my team and everyone else who has worked on it.”
This unique project also marks a significant milestone in Corey's career. Working as a builder in Upper Hutt and taking on jobs on the weekend to get ahead, Corey realized about six years ago that he wanted to operate with more integrity than some employers in the industry. He decided to go out on his own full time—a decision he hasn't regretted since. "I like looking after people and doing the best job I can for them,” Corey explains. "My mate Mark Davidge of Design Builders gave me my first full job and he’s given me a few big new builds from that point. We then aligned ourselves with an architect, and
then things just completely changed for us.”
Corey is also grateful for the opportunity to work with Callidus Architects owner Mona Hurnen, who is extremely talented and works on amazing projects that really stand out. She is a very traditional architect who specializes in heritage buildings, which aligns perfectly with the kind of work Corey and his team enjoy doing. "Working with her is a great fit really,” Corey adds. Mona owns the old police station in central Wellington, which serves as her office, and the old mayor’s house in Featherston, a beautiful old villa from which they are repurposing some Rimu wood. Corey got to know Mona about a decade ago, when he began renovating her old villa in Whiteman’s Valley, before he was self-employed.
When Corey went out on his own, he joined an Auckland-based outfit called TPB (The Professional Builder). From them, he learned valuable lessons on how to run a business and maintain a positive mindset. One key recommendation was to align with an architect. "I thought; who do I know who is an architect? And that’s when I reached out to Mona, and at that time I was only really doing small stuff and it was quite overwhelming,” Corey recalled. "About a year later she contacted me and I thought, right, I’m going to take this and that was the turning point in the business I would say. Ever since then she’s been using us for everything.”
Corey now has a team of three (five if you include him and his wife) and he’s looking to hire a fourth, possibly an apprentice to go alongside one of his team members, who already has a lot of good experience and builds under his belt. "Trying to find builders who do the kind of work we do is very difficult. A lot are proficient at kitset stuff and some of the common modern techniques, but not so much the heritage or niche jobs,” Corey explained.
Looking ahead, Corey and his team have a steady stream of work in the pipeline, and he is excited about what future builds and clients have in store for them.
The result is a stunning representation of early 1900s architectural design, painstakingly brought to life with modern building techniques. This project not only stands as a testament to the skill and vision of the Kiwi Built team but also offers a glimpse into the timeless beauty of historical architecture.
To read the full article on this remarkable project, visit the online magazine and flip to page 94: Business Central, December 2023 Issue. Page 94
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