Concept Building Solutions

A Ponsonby Bungalow, Reimagined

Built in 1920 and proudly standing in Ponsonby, this character bungalow has weathered a century of renovations, questionable design decisions, and at some point, a bathroom that was almost certainly a bedroom.

When the new owners took the keys, they inherited a home full of charm and a kitchen that was cosy. Meanwhile, the bathroom was enjoying rather more square footage than it deserved.

The brief was clear: modernise with a luxurious feel, whilst honouring the heritage interior features that give a home like this its soul. A considered blend of old and new.

Working alongside an interior designer, Concept Building Solutions transformed the oversized bathroom into a space that finally earns its footprint, and converted unused area into a kitchen scullery, delivering the bench space and storage that any busy household with young children quietly dreams about.

The ensuite received a well-deserved makeover, and a new laundry was added to the downstairs basement with internal access, tucking life's less glamorous necessities neatly out of sight.

A century on, this bungalow is no longer just surviving, it's thriving.

Got a renovation project you need help with? We'd love to hear about it. Get in touch.

A great day to be a builder.

This week the Concept Building Solutions team swapped the Auckland CBD skyline for Waiheke Island views. Not a bad office for the week.

The job was replacing rotting timber windows with modern aluminium joinery throughout the home.

Coastal properties look incredible, but salt spray, moisture and high winds are tough on timber. Over time, wood swells, warps and rots. What once added character can quickly become a maintenance headache.

Upgrading to aluminium makes sense on Waiheke:

• Built for coastal conditions and resistant to salt air and moisture
• Minimal maintenance with no sanding, sealing or repainting every few years
• Strong and rigid, offering better performance in high-wind zones
• Slimmer frames and larger glass areas for more light and better views
• Improved thermal performance, insulation and noise reduction
• Enhanced security and long-term durability of up to 30 years

It is a smart investment that protects the home and keeps it looking sharp for decades.

When you choose a New Zealand Certified Builder, you are choosing workmanship backed by recognised industry standards and builders who stand behind their work. No shortcuts. Just quality done properly.

If your windows are starting to show their age, it might be time for a conversation.

Give the Concept Building Solutions team a call to talk through your options.

What Paint Hides: The Reality of a Bungalow Renovation

This is what heritage projects look like once we open the walls.

Perfect exterior. Fresh paint. No visible issues.

Then we remove the internal linings and sometimes find hidden water damage, rotten framing, and structural compromises.

A Ponsonby bungalow can look immaculate from the street. The weatherboards appear sound. The owners have maintained the paintwork religiously.

This is why we can't give fixed prices for heritage homes until we've done proper investigation. It's not about padding quotes, it's about being honest about what we don't know yet.

Two things we always do:
1. Targeted investigation of high-risk areas, informed by 20 years' experience with local homes
2. Realistic contingency budgets that protect both parties

Our track record? We haven't exceeded a fixed-price budget in 10 years using this system.

The builders who promise fixed prices without thorough inspection? They're either inexperienced with old homes or planning to hit you with massive variations later.

Have you experienced hidden issues in a villa renovation? Share your story below.

Welcome to Concept Building Solutions

After 20+ years of renovating Auckland’s villas and bungalows through word-of-mouth referrals, we’re finally joining social media.

Why now? Because too many heritage homeowners are getting poor advice from builders who don’t specialise in 100+ year-old homes.

I’m Michael Bartlett, and I’ve spent my entire career focused on one thing: renovating character homes in central Auckland properly.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing what we’ve learned from completing 20+ villa renovations in Ponsonby alone, and the hidden problems we find. Plus, how we navigate heritage consent, and why villa renovation is fundamentally different from standard building.

If you own a villa or bungalow in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay or surrounding suburbs, this page is for you.

Follow along for honest insights from the field, just real knowledge from real projects.

— Michael