New homes in old buildings: one masonic lodge, four churches and a woolshed: conceptual and practical issues using case studies from the Wellington region

Abstract

The purpose of this Research Report is to investigate the conceptual and practical issues involved in converting non-residential buildings such as churches and woolsheds to private homes. Emphasis is placed on finding out the personal experiences of those individuals who have undertaken such a project - what philosophies were behind it, how they did it, what they learnt from doing it, and how successful the results are for them. The first two chapters present the likely key issues established through logical reasoning and the study of existing literature on the conversion of buildings for new uses. This theory is then used as a basis for looking at six real-life cases in the Wellington Region. Each Case Study represents a small report in itself and collectively they comprise the bulk of the Research Report. Findings from the Case Studies are summarized in the Conclusion. It was found that the Case Studies served very well to exemplify the theory. Certain patterns emerged in the conceptual and practical issues faced by the buildings' new owners and the way in which the buildings' exteriors were handled. In contrast, and as expected, the personal philosophies behind the conversions and the way the buildings' interiors were adapted were as varied as the owners' individual personalities. Overall, the conversions were considered by the owners to be ideologically, functionally and economically successful.