Less is more
More and more of us are choosing to build small. Gregg Architectural Builders shows how to create joy in the small and functional with this unique home on the hills of Christchurch.
WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Anthony Turnham
The “less is more” approach is certainly gaining traction in the building world today. With the prospect of a more cost-effective build, a closer connection to the natural environment and a beauty in the visual simplicity, there’s a lot to like about smaller homes.
Add to that a father who’s an architect, and it’s hard for this particular homeowner not to have something of an interest in houses. But more than just the aesthetics of a home, this homeowner wanted to embrace functionality, simplicity, integrity and presence when designing his own small home.
“My dad used to drag me around building sites, and so I’ve always known I wanted to build a house at some point in my life,” says Matt, homeowner of this newly built architectural treasure in Christchurch. “I’m interested in something that looks functional and has fantastic engineering solutions within it. But more than this, I wanted the building to have a presence which meant it needed to go against some of the typical design trends,” says Matt.
This home does not come with the label of ‘trendy’ or ‘stylised’, and that’s how Matt intends it. In contrast, it holds an elegance and longevity in its presence, and is crafted with an outstanding level of finishing.
Situated on some gnarly, steep terrain on the outskirts of Christchurch, this abode seems to emerge from the surrounding rough landscape and dominate in a confident and stable manner. The brief from the owner to architect Joff Kennedy was to design an 80 square metre, two-bedroom home styled on a military bunker, with clean lines and a high level of functionality.
“After I bought the land, I taught myself SketchUp. Through that process, I started playing with some of the angles, inspired by military fortifications,” states Matt. “And it was an obvious choice for me to employ Joff from my father’s old architectural firm to turn these ideas into a reality.”
There’s a lot to like about smaller homes
Blair Watson, project manager from Gregg Architectural Builders, was also involved from the very start of this project, as the home went through Council sign-offs and budgets were set.
“As soon as I was shown the plans I was instantly attracted to the home,” says Blair. “It was clear an incredible amount of thought had gone into the floor plan, and that shows in the finished house, which feels spacious and roomy, despite its small footprint.”
Affectionately known as the SkyFort, the home achieves this spacious feel largely thanks to a huge two-storey high window, letting in light and at the same time capturing 180-degree views of the sea and the city.
But the project wasn’t without its complexities. The steep and slippery terrain was probably the biggest challenge of this build, with almost all items being carried by hand onto the site.
FLAWLESS FINISH The natural interior of the home was faultlessly painted by Blair Painting Ltd.
“We had to start this job in the summer, as we knew the ground would be treacherous in the wintertime,” says Blair. “There was a lot of manual labour involved in simply carting and lifting timber frames into place on a steep site.”
Bad weather also played its part, with Canterbury’s biggest rain event of 2021 leading to the slumping of the dig out for the retaining wall at the back of the property.
“That was probably the worst of it,” says Blair. “After letting things dry out a little, it was a case of reinstating the bank and carrying on. I’m grateful we had two fantastic builders working on this job. Will Roberts and TJ Maea did a fantastic job from start to finish. And all with a positive, can-do attitude.”
The homeowner agrees, saying, “Will and TJ went above and beyond before the storm hit, and Blair too, to secure the site and put in some temporary measures to stop any damage.”
It’s this seamless working together by Gregg Architectural Builders that impressed Matt all the way through this project.
“Throughout the entire process you question everything and second-guess yourself all the time,” says Matt. “Despite all the sleepless nights, I never second-guessed my decision to build with Gregg Architectural Builders. They were outstanding. They had the patience of a saint answering all my questions and didn’t sting me when I changed my mind on things midway through the process.”
LIGHT AND BRIGHT The architectural linear 40 frames in Aeonox black with FMI glass and Allegion hardware were supplied by GA Aluminium and Fairview Windows.
The finished home speaks for itself with its natural feel inside. Downstairs the kitchen and lounge feature plywood walls, ceilings and floors, with a large deck to the west providing a beautiful connection to the outside world. The double-height void in the lounge adds volume to the open plan living. The plywood staircase leads you to the bedrooms, with the master bedroom enjoying the double-height window and the expansive views.
“For me, it’s the finishing of the home that brings me joy,” says Matt. “For example, the different sheets of ply on the wall are all lined up, so the grain running between them matches up. Gregg Architectural Builders exceeded my expectations crafting this house. It shows they really care.”
Building a home is a delicate balancing act. It can be scary and all-consuming for the homeowner. The builder needs to navigate emotional and financial requirements with the homeowner, on top of the logistics and planning of the actual construction. Add into the mix the Council consent process and the realities of working with multiple subcontractors from multiple parts of the country, and we can start to appreciate what skill Gregg Architectural Builders have demonstrated in this build.
“Gregg Architectural Builders have woven all of these threads into a fantastic home,” concludes Matt. “And they’ve done it in a respectful and dignified way. It’s been awesome for me.”
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 their clients’ dreams. The joy that has been created with this home is an added benefit that will last for many years to come.
INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT
BUILDER
Gregg Architectural Builders
03 358 6491
greggbuilders.co.nz
PAINTING
Ben Blair Painting Ltd
027 521 8895
WALLBOARD AND INSULATION
Wallboard and Insulation Supplies Ltd
0800 947 583
wisltd.co.nz
WINDOWS AND DOORS
GA Aluminium / Fairview
0800 FAIRVIEW
0800fairview.co.nz
