In 2022, a significant landslide impacted this Karaka Bay property, resulting in Wellington City Council issuing a yellow sticker preventing access. This required the home to be vacated immediately due to ongoing geotechnical risk and a clear design and build to be confirmed to stabilise the bank.

Stabilisation & Safety Works

Over the following year, a geotechnical engineer and specialist contractor were engaged to secure the bank. Rock anchors and mesh were installed to stabilise the slope, with works completed in late 2023. A 50-year warranty was issued to certify long-term bank stability, enabling re-entry and commencement of building works to the house below.

Remediation of Severe Interior Damage

During the year-long period in which the home could not be accessed, significant water ingress caused extensive interior damage. To restore the home, all interior linings, finishes, and furnishings were removed, along with the full exterior cladding and majority of the framing.

Building Envelope & Weather-Tightness Improvements

Originally a stucco-clad home, the rebuild required careful attention to weather-tightness. A specialist architect was engaged to assess framing and cladding throughout the project, ensuring all leaky-building risks were removed. The home is being reclad in a combination of Abodo timber and traditional weatherboard for a durable, modern finish.

Additional Structures & Enhancements

The original spa house—which was destroyed in the slip—has been completely rebuilt. The new structure sits elevated above the property with reinforced concrete ground beams for long-term stability.

Inside, the home is undergoing a complete transformation, with new interior finishes, bespoke joinery, fully tiled bathrooms, and updated electrical and plumbing systems throughout.

Project Philosophy

This project has been approached with a “quality over speed” mindset allowing the client to live at the premises whilst the work was undertaken in stages. The progression of this rebuild reflects a commitment to doing things properly—proving that some of the best results truly do take time.