Curved cohesion

Set on Christchurch’s rural-urban fringe, the design embraces all the benefits of country living in a suburban location with organic curves, open living spaces and quiet nooks.

The property is positioned for natural light in a new footprint that replaces the site’s original house; inheriting a legacy of mature trees and a tennis court for the homeowners to enjoy.

Designed for a busy family, the home fosters openness and connectivity across all levels. The living-area opens to private outdoor spaces and backyard views, while maintaining street privacy. Positioned opposite a vineyard and in close proximity to neighbouring homes, the design balances private, sheltered outdoor areas with open spaces that engage with the street.

The architecture is a carefully considered response to both the site and the owners’ unique lifestyle. “Situated on a small lifestyle block, it was designed to foster open family living while incorporating their beloved pets including two Clydesdale horses and Snow the goat who can engage with the family at their discretion,” says Marcus Stufkens of Stufkens Architecture.

On the ground floor of the 340 square metre home, an open-plan living area is central to the design and leads to the kitchen, dining and library. Three large internal voids with varying ceiling heights link both floors. Built-in daybeds and intimate nooks provide retreat-like spaces within the open layout.

The living area opens out via cedar-framed sliders to a sun-drenched backyard with heated Reflection salt and mineral water swimming pool with automatic cover from Lagoon Pools. This stylish swimming pool has entry steps perfectly positioned at both ends of the pool with a full-length bench seat, without compromising space for swimming. The horses enjoy their poolside position, close to the home. This inclusive design shows just how special these treasured pets are to the family. The garden beyond is framed by expansive views of the paddocks and tennis court.

Landscape designer Olivia Bird from OBD Studio worked with the privacy of the mature trees. Olivia designed hardscaped walls of varying heights and low plantings to soften the edges of the bold architecture and blend the home into the landscape.

The home’s material palette is simple yet refined brick, glass, steel, concrete and timber delivering a rich, tactile experience. The sculptural kitchen crafted by Bates Joinery features Melteca cabinetry in Green Slate with a Pearl Finish with Imes pull 98 handles in Brushed Brass from ABI Interiors.

The curved island is wrapped in Surround by Laminex and lacquered in Resene Quarter Iron Sand. The benchtop and backsplash from Artisan Stone are in Caesarstone Rugged Concrete to echo the Golden Elm’s tones. Zomodo Cignus tapware in gunmetal complements the grey palette that includes a Venetian plaster finish in the kitchen and living areas.

Whitewashed TimberTop Banff timber floors from Jacobsens have been installed along with Cavalier Bremworth wool carpets in Sage Galet Carpet was laid in the media room and bedrooms.

Peter Diver Plumbing fitted the Gunmetal tapware from ABI Interiors, in the bathrooms and the ensuite along with Methven Turoa tapware in graphite along with the Scala freestanding acrylic bath in matte white from ABI Interiors. The muted green matte tiles offer a calming, organic retreat.

“With a prominent street-facing profile, privacy was a key consideration. The elm tree informed the curved timber slats and perforated metal rain screens. These sculptural elements not only create a striking aesthetic but also provide structural support, privacy and climatic control, balancing sun glare and shading,” says Marcus.

Builder Calvin Cocks from CJC Construction had worked with Marcus on a previous project and enjoyed the details in the build. “The curved steel frame of the rain screen was a challenge. It was easy to see it on a 3D model, but once installed on site, the frame is exposed, so you couldn’t hide any discrepancies,” says Calvin.

A robust brick veneer grounds the home, forming a base. The use of second-grade bricks placed in an ad-hoc pattern adds texture and depth, playing with a subtle grit-infused paint system.

The secondary cladding is the rainscreen, which stands off the main wall and is clad in vertical slats of thermally modified Abodo Vulcan cladding, to settle the home into the landscape.

Birch plywood interior linings were used throughout the home including some ceilings that feature LED lighting behind the panels. The exposed timber joists in the interior highlight the craftsmanship of builder Calvin from CJC adding texture and reinforcing structural integrity.

A classical material palette of wood grains, neutral tones, perforated blackened steel and stone elements establishes a timeless aesthetic, enriched by hidden LED lighting behind prefinished birch ply panels. The exposed timber joists in the interior highlight the craftsmanship of builder Calvin from CJC adding texture and reinforcing structural integrity.

The first-floor bedrooms serve as private sanctuaries, with carefully framed openings maximizing natural light and backyard views while maintaining privacy. The bedrooms are located on the first floor, all with feature Autex wall panelling. A lift has been incorporated to ensure accessibility in later years.

“Each bedroom features a private balcony, while the son’s separate sleepout is linked via an external boardwalk, overlooking the pool and sheltering the horse stables below, allowing the horses to interact with the family, often in hopes of a treat,” says Marcus.

Solar gain and passive design principles ensure year-round comfort and energy efficiency. Heating: Woodsman Coleridge fire and Ducted HVAC throughout the home providing heating and cooling, situated in bulkheads and ceilings.

This home won a NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award for its open-plan heart, strategic voids, and intimate nooks. The judges praised the homes’ strong connection to nature and the way in which the design encourages engagement, with both family and pets. The judges noted that the residence exemplifies thoughtful planning and design, balancing contemporary living with natural harmony.

Through its restrained yet carefully considered material selection, this home achieves a harmonious blend of durability, sustainability, and aesthetic refinement.

“This home is more than a residence, it is an immersive, nature-connected sanctuary that celebrates family, openness and the beauty of its surroundings,” says Marcus.

Contact details:

Stufkens + Chambers / Curvature
021 411 589
m.stufkens@scarchitects.co.nz
www.scarchitects.co.nz