With the completion of this stylish, space-efficient Lyttelton showcase, Shaped Architecture puts enjoying your own architecturally designed home firmly within reach.

Words Anna Scaife Photography Mick Stephenson

Facing the spectacular harbour view, the newly completed show home from Shaped Architecture is a standout amongst the traditional villa-style houses that line the steep streets of Lyttelton township. Proud against the hillside, the unique cubic form cuts an eye-catching figure, combining a striking look with ultra-efficient use of space. It’s this efficiency that allows Roger Walker and Richard Humphries of Shaped Architecture to achieve what they set out to do; make owning an architecturally designed home affordable.

With 50 years’ shared experience, Richard and Roger pooled their knowledge to create a set of affordable house plans with the intent of making designer homes a feasible option for New Zealand homeowners. The Lyttelton House showcases a 100 square metre two-level home on a 50 square metre footprint. The cube shape minimises the amount of external cladding required and allows for every bit of space to be utilised, saving on materials and keeping the overall build cost down. Richard says, “The homes are designed to be affordable, minimising wastage without compromising on looks and performance. Using the templated designs allow us to offer certainty to our clients on the end pricing.”

Shaped offers a selection of home plans which also includes the smart home range of sustainable and energy-efficient homes as well as vintage homes, based on the pioneer cottage and designed for modern living. The pre-templated home designs also offer the flexibility of a degree of customisation, giving clients scope to ensure the finished home is just what they’re looking for.

Opting for the two-level version of the cube home, the show home includes three generously-sized bedrooms plus a family bathroom, hallway and large utility cupboard on the ground floor. Upstairs, the open plan living and dining area adjoin the kitchen and laundry. The kitchen lies directly above the bathroom, thereby grouping the plumbing, again with a focus on reducing cost. A matching internal access garage completes the standard cube floorplan which is well suited to young families, professionals or downsizers alike.

Stairwell Adding warmth to the interior, the stairwell walls are lined with full sheets of Okoume Plywood finished with negative detailing. — **Stairwell** Adding warmth to the interior, the stairwell walls are lined with full sheets of Okoume Plywood finished with negative detailing.

Richard and Roger have chosen to work with a carefully selected team of contractors whose workmanship and ability to meet timelines is proven. Builder Jeff Steel of Homebase Construction was excited from the outset to work on this project of passion with the Shaped Architecture team. Jeff says, “This build was a special one as Richard was keen for us to be as hands-on as possible. These days, more and more of the build process is being sub-contracted out, and the builder’s actual on-site role is getting smaller and smaller. We enjoyed the opportunity to build the frames, roof structure and even the stairs on site.”

A favourite design aspect for Jeff is the use of Okoume plywood, lining the double-height walls and sloped ceiling of the stairwell. The full-sized ply sheets add to the sense of height and openness while the rich colour adds warmth and contrasts with the black of the negative detailing between sheets. “I think it was a great idea using it in the stairwell as it gave the area a much grander feel,” says Jeff.

A priority for Shaped Architecture is to build homes which will perform, providing warmth, comfort and efficiency for the homeowner. Creating a cosy and quiet interior, the walls are built to 140 mm thickness and insulated with spray foam. Selected for its high thermal rating, the NZ Foam spray insulation allows the product to get into every part of the framing space and performs well beyond normal expectations and council requirements.

Closed cell spray foam insulation unlike other insulation products is a full air and moisture barrier. The process creates a complete seamless insulation barrier. Rob Leach, of suppliers and installers NZ Foam says, “It is very important for us at NZ Foam to have a product which is consistent, reliable and ecologically friendly with low environmental impact. So, we import the only spray foam product certified in Canada to their exacting standards which is then branded as NZ Foam Orange.”

A further advantage of the cube design is the number of windows in each room, more external walls allow for more windows and increased natural light and warmth.

The addition of the butterfly roofline not only adds interest and individuality to the design but also creates a single central gutter which can drain at each end and allows for rainwater collection with the installation of a tank.

The Shaped offering includes a choice of three levels of internal fittings and appliances at a bronze, silver or gold level, dependent on the desired budget. The kitchen layout and design can be tailored to individual requirements, working with Trends Kitchens who have partnered with Richard and Roger to provide joinery design and installation. Pieta Fletcher from Trends says of the Lyttelton kitchen, “Richard at Shaped Architecture asked for a show home kitchen design that had some interest with colour and display areas, that worked within the budget.”

As the design of this house is for a client who will move in following a period as a show home, there were some specific requirements for the kitchen and laundry. Pieta says, “The client wanted something more tailored to their eco-lifestyle. The brief included a smaller fridge as vegetables would be taken directly from their garden, no rubbish bins as they want as minimal waste as possible, and an incorporated dining/seating/storage area. She particularly wanted some bright colours to tie in with the fabrics chosen for the living areas, as well as display areas to put her collection of ceramics. The laundry is also in the upstairs bathroom and needed to include space for the appliances, tub and hand basin.”

Trends Kitchens manufacture the kitchen joinery in a Christchurch factory. Because of this, the company can tailor every detail to fit perfectly within a more compact space, making Trends the perfect addition to the broader team delivering Shaped homes.

The Shaped Architecture team are happy to chat with people who have a section or those wanting to buy. From there, they’ll complete pre-design and specifications, guiding the project to the moment the key turns in the door. Firm believers in making great design accessible for many more homeowners, Richard and Roger are enthusiastic about helping to make people’s dreams a reality. Roger says, “Too many people feel that they need to settle for a sub-standard design. By bringing together design and functionality with efficient living and affordability, we aim to change that.”