Church Bay House

NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award 2011

The brief for this house was comprehensive, due in part to the length of time our clients had owned the site, but also a strong desire to include their individual preferences in a modest house on a tight budget.

Spectacular views from this gently sloping site across Lyttleton Harbour were in direct contrast to the context of a rather ordinary residential subdivision. Consequently, the shape of the house evolved from the need to filter out the unpredictable nature of design responses from the neighbours, together with the usual site and environmental conditions. This has resulted in a strong yet sympathetic shield to the street and a stretched the arrangement of spaces across the site.

A long, elevated timber box contains the main living functions, and hovers over a concrete base containing the bedrooms. The garage is a separate element providing important screening from the prevailing easterly winds, whilst creating a private courtyard that opens to the sun and views.