Description:

Beachville is a two-storey coastal home located in Christchurch’s seaside suburb of Redcliffs, designed to replace a house damaged during the Canterbury earthquakes. The new home sits within a high flood hazard zone, requiring all habitable spaces to be elevated approximately 1.6 metres above natural ground level. This technical constraint became a defining driver of the architectural response.

To address the visual impact of the raised floor level, the design introduces a bold stone wall across the street-facing elevation. This element grounds the house within the site, reducing the perceived height and providing privacy and shelter. The garage is seamlessly integrated into this wall, pushing forward of the living spaces to help step the building down toward the street and soften its scale.

The entrance to the home is framed by a series of cantilevered concrete steps that float over a reflecting pond, creating a memorable and welcoming threshold. This moment of calm reinforces the coastal setting and introduces water as a recurring material element in the design.

Cedar shingles are used as the primary cladding material across the upper volumes of the home. Chosen for their durability and weathering qualities, the shingles offer a warm, textural contrast to the solidity of the stone wall. A timber shutter screen wraps the front gable, providing privacy for the bedroom behind while adding rhythm and softness to the public-facing façade.

At the rear of the property, a series of tiered outdoor living platforms gently transition down from the elevated interior to the natural ground level, creating a fluid relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. A custom-designed swimming pool is positioned against the building’s wing walls, with built-in seating that allows it to double as a social and architectural feature. This playful design blurs the boundary between recreation and structure, tying together the home’s broader spatial language.

Inside, the layout balances openness and privacy, with living areas positioned to capture sunlight and views while maintaining a sense of retreat. The organisation of spaces supports everyday living while also embracing the surrounding environment—whether through framed garden views, elevated decks, or a seamless connection to the rear landscape.

The materials and details throughout Beachville were selected to withstand the demands of a coastal environment while also ageing gracefully over time. Timber, stone, and concrete come together to deliver a home that feels both robust and refined.