This relaxed and stylish family holiday home, by South Architects and Gregg Architectural Builders, embraces the ideas of alpine and escapism in perfect, equal measures.

WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Anthony Turnham Photography

Many people agree that Castle Hill is a treasure of Canterbury. Just over an hour’s drive from Christchurch, this golden tussocky land is scattered with smooth limestone boulders. Close by is the mountain village of Castle Hill, with a growing population of holiday homes.

Amongst this growing population of alpine baches is another treasure: the relaxed and cosy home of Nick and Kate.

It was a birthday celebration weekend away to Castle Hill that was the catalyst for the homeowners to consider building here.

“We had such a great weekend celebrating Nick's mother's birthday,” says Kate. “I loved the open spaces and the sense of being on a farm. Within a fortnight, we had started looking at sections!”

NATURALLY RELAXED The use of natural materials throughout the home lends a laid-back aesthetic, with a hint of luxury in the kitchen from Shane Boyd Granite Benchtops Ltd.ON TAP The stand out kitchen tapware is the Perrin & Rowe Mimas in Nickel finish from In Residence. — NATURALLY RELAXED The use of natural materials throughout the home lends a laid-back aesthetic, with a hint of luxury in the kitchen from Shane Boyd Granite Benchtops Ltd.
ON TAP The stand out kitchen tapware is the Perrin & Rowe Mimas in Nickel finish from In Residence.

Things moved quickly, and soon the couple were proud owners of a 638 square metre section on a top block of the Castle Hill development. Next came the task of designing and building their bach. Inspiration was flowing as they talked through ideas of creating a “smart cabin” that illustrates their love of family and their love of the outdoors.

“We had spent a couple of years living in Canada, and enjoyed spending time with Aunty Juliet in Whistler, falling in love with the Canadian cabin,” says Kate. “I also remember my cousins’ family owning a bach in Waˉnaka, built by their grandfather, architect Ted McCoy. I loved that bach and wanted to bring some of the features of that home into our own.”

The couple worked with Craig South at South Architects to turn their ideas and dreams into a realistic yet stand-out design. On arrival at the property, you instantly feel at home. The use of wood and stone and other natural materials gives the place a very relaxed vibe.

“We were engaged to design a holiday home for the young family, with the design aesthetics to suit the alpine environment,” explains Craig. “The couple wanted to use natural materials and have a simple roof structure to repel the snowy days.”

This simple roof structure allowed them to create an interesting interior volume, full of quirky angles and unique features.

“The timber post and beam construction has created a rhythm along the building, with the first floor nestled on to this structure,” says Craig. “With skylights on the first floor and large areas of glazing at either end, the design enables views of the mountains in all directions.”

Kate agrees, saying she loves the clever use of space and the use of so many natural materials.

“We’ve even used some wood my Dad and Grandad had felled from our farm many years ago,” says Kate. The macrocarpa planks from the farm were machined up in Christchurch and used as tongue and groove to form the kitchen and lounge ceiling linings.

“My Granann died two years ago, and my brothers and I received a little money to be spent on something special. I put a little of that towards some beautiful lights, and one in particular, the beehive pendant by Alvar Aalto in the master bedroom, reminded me of her setting her hair. I smile every time I see it.”

It’s this sense of family that exists throughout the home. Threaded throughout the build is this love of family, a love of connecting people together and a love of the rural alpine environment.

CANADIAN INSPIRATION The holiday home was inspired by the family’s time in Canada where they nurtured their love of cabins and exploring the outdoors.

Continuing the raw aesthetic of the space, there are so many beautiful touches to this build that exemplify the skills of architect, builder and homeowner. A steel beam – required for bracing – has been left exposed to frame a booth seat and bar. Also, the multiple accommodation options – with three ‘couples' spaces’ alongside a bunk room with custom designed bunks – make for a chalet-style feel to this home. The home can comfortably sleep 15 people, meaning sleepovers for the couple’s children Hugo, Toby and Lottie, are never a problem.

“Craig recommended we engage a builder early on, so on seeing a stunning Hanmer cabin on the cover of a magazine, I sought to find the builder of it and soon found my way to Gregg Architectural Builders,” says Kate.

DESIGN DETAILS Homeowner Kate was involved in the decorative details of the home, including this stunning banquette seat with fabric from Dedar Milano and the gold cupboard grilles from In Residence.

A sequence of events serendipitously led Kate and Nick to a long-lost friend of Kate’s from school days in rural Otekaieke, just outside Duntroon, inland from Oamaru.

“Blair from Gregg Builders was our Project Manager and as soon as I saw his name on a well placed email, I knew this would work famously. Two farm kids getting it done. It was just good fun."

Kate is very complimentary of the team’s skills at Gregg Architectural Builders, saying, “The crew were great. We couldn’t have got what we wanted if we didn’t have Blair on this project. Jonty, the foreman, along with Will and Ryan were amazing. Thankfully we only had one day’s build cancelled due to snow, but otherwise, the lads worked long days, commuting to and from Christchurch each day.”

ALPINE VIEWS The stunning views are accentuated by the sympathetic glazing from Fairview Windows.

It was the team’s ability to make decisions 'on the fly' that also appealed to Kate and Nick. “If there were issues or options, Blair, always unflappable, would invariably know which one would work the best, manipulating it accordingly,” says Kate.

Setting the standards for quality craftsmanship are integral to Gregg Architectural Builders’ work. The company has been in operation since 1939, and they consider it a privilege to realise the dreams of their clients. Kate says, “The whole build went incredibly smoothly. It was a really enjoyable project.”

Blair, too, is proud of what the team at Gregg Architectural Builders have achieved. “It feels lived in and warm, even though it’s a modern build. It’s got a soul.”

This creation of a home with ‘soul’ is largely thanks to Kate’s interior design skills. Being a sonographer by day, Kate spent all her spare time during the build process designing parts of the build and sourcing products and materials for the home.

“Kate designed an incredible amount of the detail of the home,” says Blair. “From the laundry layout to the loft and ski room, it’s remarkable what she’s achieved.”

Kate ponders on some of her favourite things in the home. “I love the Dedar Milano Strange Loves fabric bolster on the wall behind the dining banquette. Scattered around the cabin are treasures from our travels, reminding us of how fortunate we have been.”

“Gregg Architectural Builders made everything straightforward for us,” says Kate. “Blair understood my need for getting the look and feel right and did everything he could to help us achieve this.”

This home has an unbeatable location and quite possibly an unbeatable beauty. The combined skills of architect, builder and homeowner have created a place where the world can slow down a bit, and this couple can enjoy the delights of their family and friends.