Description:

This home is a thoughtful response to its site and the owners’ lifestyle, designed for open family living while integrating their beloved Clydesdale horses and Snow, the goat, who can engage with the family to their liking. Positioned on a small lifestyle block, the design balances privacy and connection, drawing inspiration from an existing majestic Golden Elm tree. A curved façade with timber slats and perforated metal rain screens provide sculptural interest, structural support, and climatic control.
All bedrooms are located on the first floor, with private balconies and a lift for future accessibility. The son’s separate sleepout, connected via an external boardwalk, overlooks the pool and shelters the horse stables below, allowing seamless interaction with the animals.
The heart of the home is an open-plan living space, where voids and varied ceiling heights create a dynamic interplay of light and volume. Instead of a television, the living area is oriented toward the paddocks and tennis court, reinforcing a lifestyle immersed in nature. Built-in daybeds and nooks provide intimate retreats within the expansive layout.
Situated on Christchurch’s rural-urban fringe, the site was once home to commercial greenhouses and retains mature trees and a tennis court. The design embraces these existing elements while respecting its suburban context. Carefully framed openings provide privacy while maximizing backyard views, fostering a sense of living among the canopy.
This home seamlessly blends rural charm with urban convenience, celebrating nature, family, and community within a modern architectural framework.