PROJECT:
Devonport Bathroom Renovation
Below Ground Level: Transforming Challenge into Accessibility
When Gail looked at her downstairs bathroom, she saw more than just outdated fixtures and tired finishes from the early 1990s. She saw a space with a fundamental design flaw: a shower positioned above floor level with a significant step up, creating a hazard for her elderly parents who regularly visited from Wellington. The bathroom’s location below ground level meant that addressing this issue would require more than cosmetic updates; it would demand innovative problem-solving to overcome drainage challenges that had likely been the reason for the original elevated shower design.
A Bathroom Past Its Prime
“I had a bathroom that was in terrible condition,” Gail recalls. “It probably hadn’t been touched since the early 1990s and was in desperate need of an upgrade.” Beyond aesthetics, the bathroom’s functionality was compromised by its unusual configuration. “The bathroom floor sits below the level of the ground floor outside,” Gail explains, highlighting the drainage challenge that would define the renovation. “It’s quite a small space, so there wasn’t a lot of options. But I really wanted it to be modernised, but also something that was going to last as well. It wasn’t going to age quickly.” The stakes were particularly high because the bathroom needed to serve multiple generations. “My parents come up and stay with me quite regularly,” Gail notes. “So it was quite important that this bathroom not only looked sharp and really modern, but it was also quite practical for an elderly couple.”
Finding a Builder Who Understood the Challenge
Gail’s search for the right builder led her to several consultations, but Pete from Build Unlimited stood out for his immediate grasp of the project’s complexities. “I approached Pete at Build Unlimited,” Gail shares. “Pete came in and spoke to me about the project. He was knowledgeable about it. You could tell that he had ideas about how to solve the problem and was cognisant that it was an issue that needed something done. And he had good ideas, and I knew that he was a builder who could manage the whole project as well. So that was why I went with Build Unlimited.” What differentiated Build Unlimited from other builders Gail consulted was their understanding of the technical challenges involved. “I felt that the other options weren’t necessarily as cognisant of what the tricky parts were going to be of the building,” Gail explains. “And I also felt that Pete’s communication was really clear, and I felt that I could work well with him.” This early confidence in Pete’s understanding of the drainage challenge proved crucial. “With Pete and Build Unlimited, I felt that he totally, he completely understood what the problem was, and that was one of the first problems that we went about solving. We looked at different options of that too and selected an option that fitted all of our requirements.”
The Drainage Dilemma
The bathroom’s below ground level location created a significant technical challenge that explained why the original shower had been elevated with a large step up into it. “Lowering the shower to the ground level was challenging as the existing drainage was not low enough to naturally create a floor shower,” Pete explains. “Which is why the original shower was off the floor and had a large step up into it.” For Gail’s elderly parents, this elevated shower with its significant step represented not just an inconvenience but a genuine safety hazard. Creating a floor level, walk in shower wasn’t simply about aesthetics or modern design; it was about creating a safe, accessible space for all generations using the bathroom.
An Innovative Solution
Traditional gravity fed drainage wasn’t going to work for a floor level shower in this below ground bathroom. The solution required thinking beyond conventional approaches. “We sourced a wastewater pump suitable for the shower, so that we could have a flush floor shower and pump the water outside to the existing drain,” Pete explains. “This was the only option for this project to achieve a walk in shower, as it was not possible to lower the existing drainage.” This mechanical solution (pumping water up and out to the existing drainage system) overcame the physical constraints of the building’s location and created the accessibility that Gail needed for her parents. “Pete managed to come up with a solution to be able to drop that step down so that it was safer for my parents walking into the shower,” Gail shares with evident relief and satisfaction.
Design That Balances Aesthetics and Function
With the technical challenges addressed, the renovation focused on creating a space that was both beautiful and practical for users of all ages. This balance required thoughtful selection of fixtures and finishes. “We used NERO tapware’s Mecca Care range as it is designed both for elderly care homes and aesthetics, ensuring a modern look to the bathroom,” Pete explains. This specialised range represents the evolution of accessible design: fixtures that provide the safety features needed by elderly or mobility impaired users without the institutional appearance of traditional care home fittings. Additional safety features were integrated seamlessly into the design. “We added grab rails from Nero to future proof as the clients’ parents are elderly and would be moving in, in the future,” Pete notes. “We used Nero’s shower rail with an integrated grab rail to keep the bathroom looking as minimal as possible while providing additional support.” This approach, incorporating accessibility features that enhance rather than detract from the bathroom’s contemporary aesthetic, exemplifies the careful balance the renovation achieved.
Attention to Detail
Throughout the bathroom, thoughtful details elevated the space beyond simply functional to genuinely beautiful. One of the most distinctive aspects was the careful alignment of elements throughout the room. “We also took the time to line the tile grout line with the shower mixer, grab rail, shower niche, and mirror,” Pete explains. “This provided a datum point around the room to take the aesthetics to the next level.” This horizontal datum line, creates a subtle but noticeable sense of order and harmony that distinguishes professionally designed spaces from merely renovated ones. Practical storage was built into the design with a tiled shower niche for soap and product storage, eliminating the need for hanging caddies or bottles cluttering the shower floor, particularly important in a walk in shower where tripping hazards must be minimised. Lighting added another layer of ambiance and functionality. “LED strip lighting under the mirror cabinet provides mood lighting,” Pete notes, creating options for softer illumination during evening hours when bright task lighting isn’t necessary. The layout itself was reimagined to maximise both space and functionality. “We moved the toilet and installed a matching mirror cabinet for additional storage space,” Pete explains. “The new layout made the room feel larger and a modern practical space.”
A Seamless Process for a Busy Professional
For Gail, who works full time and has two children, the renovation needed to be managed professionally without requiring constant oversight or involvement. “The house was always left clean and tidy,” Gail shares appreciatively. “And I felt that I did not have to do any follow up that needed to be done. It was done by Pete and it was just so simple. Exactly what I wanted. I did not want to have to deal with all the extra management of it as I’m working full time and have two kids.” Even the building consent process, often a source of frustration and delay, was handled smoothly. “The consent, it was seamless. We needed a consent. Basically, it was all done. I just had to sign some papers here and there. And then the consent came through and we could get going,” Gail recalls. “It all came through reasonably quickly, I think, which was a bit of a surprise.” This end to end project management (from solving the technical drainage challenge to handling council consents to daily site cleanliness) freed Gail to focus on her work and family while confidence grew that her bathroom renovation was in capable hands.
A Transformation Complete
When the renovation was finished, the transformation was remarkable. “Before the space was not practical, with minimal space to walk and a shower that you had to step up into,” Pete reflects. “Once completed, the shower was entry level walk in and larger.” For Gail’s parents visiting from Wellington, the difference was immediately apparent and deeply appreciated. “I am really happy with the final product,” Gail shares. “It looks great. It works really well. Mum and Dad are visiting from Wellington and they’re very happy with their new bathroom.” The careful balance of modern aesthetics and practical accessibility features created a space that serves all users comfortably while maintaining the contemporary look Gail wanted: a bathroom that wouldn’t quickly feel dated. Gail’s satisfaction with the entire experience (from initial consultation through completion) made recommending Build Unlimited straightforward. “Yes, I would absolutely recommend Pete and Build Unlimited to other people. Absolutely,” she states without hesitation. “Pete was very helpful and patient with the different ideas that we had,” Gail adds, highlighting the collaborative approach that characterised the project. For Build Unlimited, Gail’s bathroom stands as an example of how technical challenges can be overcome through innovative thinking, and how accessibility features can be integrated beautifully into contemporary design. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the best renovations are those that solve real problems for real people. In this case, creating a safe, beautiful space where multiple generations can comfortably use the bathroom without compromise. The step that once posed a hazard for elderly visitors is gone, replaced by a walk in shower that serves everyone safely and stylishly. And for Gail’s parents making their regular trips from Wellington, that transformation means everything.
