Since March 2012, abode has been shining a light on the work of some of the most exceptional builders in Canterbury and the South Island. Here we reflect on and celebrate a few of our favourite homes and the builders behind them.

Across one decade and 57 issues, we’ve featured hundreds of homes from inspiring, small renovations to breathtaking grand designs. Every home is unique and so is the story that brings it to life.

In March 2012, abode magazine launched only a year after the devastating impacts of the February 2011 earthquake. At the time, many people were still coming to terms with the damage both to their lives and their homes.

The journey that O¯tautahi Christchurch has been through in this decade is immense and we are proud to have been there to support our local heroes in the building industry as they’ve worked to rebuild the garden city.

Ten years on, new homes are still sprouting up where earthquake-damaged houses once stood. We are now seeing a housing boom in O¯tautahi, which has led to an expansion in all directions and exciting new developments within easy commuting distance.

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has fuelled this housing boom, as people have moved home from overseas and moved south for a better lifestyle.

Choosing just some of these homes from 10 years of abode has been an enjoyable challenge for the team. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!

#2022

With vistas to the Southern Alps, parklands, streams and lakes, this characterful contemporary home from Metzger Builders enjoys a rural setting in Clearwater, just minutes from central Christchurch.

A breathtaking Fendalton home, with a striking exterior.

Metzger Builders are highly respected professionals specialising in high-end bespoke projects and delivering on innovative design. This gracious four-bedroom home boasts three bathrooms, three living rooms and a powder room with several outdoor living areas to suit the weather, including a central courtyard which provides a welcome shelter from the easterly winds.

“It’s an environmentally themed home that brings the outdoors in,” says Mark Metzger. “With its view of the land, it feels gracious but has the benefit of being low maintenance as all the open grass reserves at Clearwater are regularly maintained.”

Metzger Builders (MBL) are no strangers to awards and accolades. Here at abode, it’s been our pleasure to feature some spectacular homes that have rightly been honoured with the sought-after titles in the Registered Master Builder House of the Year contest.

In September 2018 we featured another of MBL’s accomplishments; this spectacular rural home (pictured right) was named the winner of the National Supreme award at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

This striking cedar-clad home takes full advantage of a narrow site on the Esplanade in Sumner.

#2021

Nestled into the Heathcote Valley, this stylish home built by Jim the Builder demonstrates the power of doing it right.

In the January/February 2021 issue, abode featured the striking Heathcote Valley home, built on a hillside site by the Jim the Builder team. The impressive steel and timber-clad house is nestled into the landscape and sits easily on the site - but that doesn’t mean it was simple to achieve. The steep site created many challenges including a 30-metre retaining wall.

Another beautiful hillside home from Jim the Builder.

The complexities of working on Christchurch’s surrounding hills are well-known and award-winning local building company Jim the Builder has earned a solid reputation as expert architectural builders.

The property features many exquisite details, from the rustic larch Rosenfeld Kidson cladding and the impressive floating staircase pictured on the right. Like all natural phenomena, this project morphed as it went on.

Inside the well appointed living space of ‘Nestling into the land’.

#2020

The Nathan Cook Builders team demonstrate their versatility with an elegant heritage renovation and an architectural new build with all the mod cons.

This stunning Fendalton home was built for gracious living indoors and out.

We visited the newly restored Opawa villa and found a beautiful home, elegantly repaired. The sympathetic restoration saved yet another piece of Christchurch history from disappearing after the earthquakes and delighted the owners who could continue to enjoy their newly enhanced family home in total comfort.

By contrast in January/February 2021 we featured a pair of cutting-edge architectural homes in Fendalton. Situated at a busy intersection, there were challenges with traffic and access to the site, but these were handled with ease by a company that values relationships alongside high-quality workmanship. Whatever the building challenges, this expert team are committed to delivering for their customers.

A beautifully restored character living room.

A stunning character kitchen with all the mod cons.

#2018

Our September 2018 issue celebrated the completion of dwell homes’ fabulous show home, situated in an exquisite corner of Merivale, where it perches overlooking the banks of the passing stream.

This striking modular style cedar home was designed with entertaining in mind.

A stunning example of their design ethos, the house is clad entirely in western red cedar, stained black on the vertical and natural on the horizontal. The house consists of three pavilions linked by a central hallway and a series of outdoor courtyard spaces.

Designed to emphasise the tranquillity of the site, the versatile and easy living spaces and all four of the bedrooms connect seamlessly with the outdoors. Each space spills out onto the extensive timber decking, and full height windows flood the home with dappled sunlight.

This selection of homes from this innovative family-owned architectural design and build company displays a sleek, modern aesthetic. Architectural designer Bryan Doull and interior designer Lena Doull have developed a striking range of unique, environmentally conscious homes that make use of sustainable, natural products and materials.

The ceiling flows from inside to the outdoors to create one large living space.

#2016

This 2016 new build by DJ Hewitt Builders saw an investment in quality and a determination to embrace a sense of character, resulting in something special.

A sympathetic hillside extension built to take in the views in 2019.

We featured this stunning new build with period property style in the January/February issue of 2016. For the homeowners, this stunning build offered a unique take on the notion of ‘new’. As a builder and carpenter, on this project, Daryl was quick to point out that “timber is in his DNA” and being able to work on a project with craftsmanship at its core was a true pleasure. From the mouldings and exposed rafters to the hand-carved timber detailing on the exterior columns, this build was a display of craftsmanship.

In 2019 we featured this substantial black clad two storey home pictured on the right. The renovation evolved over several years to fit the changing lifestyle of its owner. DJ Hewitt Builders worked on each renovation of this stunning Richmond Hill home in Sumner. For the homeowner, having a builder she could trust was instrumental to the successful renovation of her home.

Monochromatic open plan living blends style and practicality in this 2013 home.

#2015

For Christchurch builder Daryl Hewitt the 2015 rebuild of his family home was not only a feat of engineering and design, but an award-winning showcase of his skill and attention to detail.

Mediterranean memories from a striking renovation in 2020 designed by Johnston Architects.

In our November/December 2015 issue we showcased Daryl and Tara Hewitt’s rebuild of their own earthquake-damaged hillside home in Redcliffs. Designed by O’Neil Architecture this rebuild was their fourth build for themselves and the second on their beloved Redcliffs property. Their personal journey back from devastation showcased their talent, commitment to quality and passion for innovation.

Our DJ Hewitt Builders cover home on the first issue of Abode in 2012, (pictured top right), is a stunning architectural build, just as relevant today as it was 10 years ago. The exterior offers a sense of drama with layered areas around the entrance and a striking contrast of textures – stone, warm timer and white plaster. The large site allowed for the integration of tennis court, swimming pool, covered outdoor room and barbecue area into the floor plan.

Mar 13 10 years of outstanding homes