PROJECT:
CELT: Luxury Bathroom Renovation
Luxury Bathroom Renovation: An Architect's Vision Brought to Life
When an architect renovates their own home, every millimeter matters. For Francois Brett, an architect at Design Cycle, the family bathroom in their Ellerslie home had become a pressure point. With three growing daughters and just one bathroom containing the household’s only toilet, the need for a thoughtful redesign was pressing, not just for functionality, but as a showcase of Francois’ design philosophy.
A Family's Growing Needs
“We’ve got three girls, so my wife and two little daughters,” Francois explains. “We’ve just got one bathroom, so essentially, just one toilet in our bathroom. As the kids are growing up now, that became the need for a larger bathroom.”
The vision was clear but demanding: remove the old shower wall, decrease the size of the bath, and add a second toilet, all while creating a space that exemplified architectural precision and high-end design. For a professional architect, this personal project would need to reflect the same attention to detail he brings to his clients’ spaces.
Finding the Right Partner
From the beginning, Francois had a specific design principle in mind one that would require exceptional precision and craftsmanship to execute.
“An important consideration I had was essentially to achieve a sense of alignment throughout the bathroom,” he explains. “We aligned the grout line of the tiles with the underside of the basin, and that also aligned with the window sill. Then you continue that line around the bathroom. When you look around the space, it all reads as one cohesive space.”
This datum line became the organizing principle for the entire renovation, dictating the height of the shower niche, shower mixer, and mirror cabinets. Creating this sense of alignment was far more challenging than it might appear to a casual observer.
“It takes a lot more time and effort to achieve that look,” Francois acknowledges. “The tiler has done an amazing job to actually achieve that.”
The Precision of Alignment
From the beginning, Francois had a specific design principle in mind, one that would require exceptional precision and craftsmanship to execute.
“An important consideration I had was essentially to achieve a sense of alignment throughout the bathroom,” he explains. “We aligned the grout line of the tiles with the underside of the basin, and that also aligned with the window sill. Then you continue that line around the bathroom. When you look around the space, it all reads as one cohesive space.”
This datum line became the organizing principle for the entire renovation, dictating the height of the shower niche, shower mixer, and mirror cabinets. Creating this sense of alignment was far more challenging than it might appear to a casual observer.
“It takes a lot more time and effort to achieve that look,” Francois acknowledges. “The tiler has done an amazing job to actually achieve that.”
Technical Challenges, Creative Solutions
For Pete and the Build Unlimited team, executing the architect’s vision presented several technical challenges. The existing window height was fixed, which meant finding fixtures and fittings that would accommodate this non-negotiable measurement.
“Getting the bottom of the mirror cabinets to line up with the window was a challenge while also fitting the toilet in-wall cistern in the wall below the mirror,” Pete explains. “This proved very challenging as only one brand of toilet worked with the existing window height we had to work with.”
After extensive research, the team found the one in-wall toilet system that would fit within the precise dimensional constraints. Throughout the project, Pete maintained constant communication with Francois, making small adjustments to ensure perfect alignment.
Another challenging design element was the continuous LED strip lighting behind the mirror, recessed flush with the tiles. This feature required meticulous planning and execution but became one of the bathroom’s most distinctive elements.
“My favorite part of the renovation is actually the LED lighting under the mirror cabinet,” Francois shares. “I’d actually just turn that on during the night, just to give a bit of mood for the bathroom when you’re in the bath. It really gives a great sense for the space.”
Communication Through Complexity
As with most renovation projects, unexpected challenges arose. The renovation coincided with the Christmas period, when certain materials and fixtures became difficult to source.
“Obviously, with a Christmas mad rush, things like glass and mirrors were still to be received,” Francois recalls. “I got a call from Pete saying, ‘We’ve found some alternative fittings for you that will work in the space, and they’re roughly in the same price range.’ As a client, that was fantastic to hear that Pete’s really engaging in making it work for us.”
Build Unlimited’s project management software proved invaluable for maintaining transparency throughout the process. “The Build Exact software is a real advantage,” Francois notes. “That’s been really good for us to just track the process.”
This commitment to communication extended to daily progress updates, ensuring the family always knew what was happening in their home. “Pete’s been really good in terms of sending us through day-to-day progress updates. That was fantastic.”
A Space Transformed
The finished bathroom achieved everything the family had hoped for. By removing dividing walls and using minimal fixtures, the team created a space that feels open and spacious while actually accommodating more functionality with the addition of the second toilet.
Large mirror cabinets provide essential storage while visually expanding the room and reflecting light. The careful selection of brushed nickel tapware and shower frame complements the darker tiles, creating a sophisticated contrast that elevates the entire space.
“I like the vertical tile rails as well, alignment with the grout lines centered on the grout lines, and the cabinets all centered as well,” Francois remarks. “That’s a discussion Pete and I had as well.”
For the family of five, the practical benefits were immediate, no more queuing for the home’s single toilet. But beyond function, they now had a space that reflected their design sensibilities and demonstrated Francois’ architectural expertise.
“The project turned out much better than our expectations,” Francois shares. “We’re really happy with the craft and the quality of the work. Communication was huge, so we really liked the way that Build Unlimited were constantly communicating throughout the project, willing to take on board a lot of our design decisions and also product selections. We feel like we’ve been part of the project, so that’s been fantastic.“
A Testament to Collaboration
For Pete and the Build Unlimited team, this luxuary bathroom renovation stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between client and builder, particularly when that client brings professional architectural expertise to the table.
“We’re really happy with the final result,” Francois concludes. “Happy to recommend Pete and his team at Build Unlimited. They were on time, and they kept really good communication going throughout the project. And I think that sort of clarity is essential to any project. We really appreciate the work they’ve done in making that dream a reality.”
The completed bathroom showcases not only Build Unlimited’s technical precision and craftsmanship but also their ability to work hand-in-hand with design professionals to create spaces where every detail matters.
