Natural materials and dramatic folded roof forms see this home, designed by Sheppard & Rout and built by Clive Barrington Construction, poised perfectly in place.

WORDS Kathy Catton PHOTOGRAPHY Jason Mann

The design of this home was a particularly fascinating one for Jasper van der Lingen, award- winning architect at Sheppard & Rout. He has a passion for studying the ways the integration of buildings can help form a sense of place and a unique identity.

For this home, nestled comfortably into the hillside at Kennedys Bush, on the outskirts of Ōtautahi Christchurch, blending structure and environment was vital to its success.

For Jasper, every project begins with a deep consideration of its context.

“This project was all about demonstrating that buildings should not impose themselves on the landscape, but should enhance and resonate with it,” he says. This philosophy was crucial in shaping the design of the home, where the goal was to seamlessly integrate the structure with its natural setting while optimising the panoramic views.

“The couple wanted a contemporary home that fitted in with the landscape and the place,” says Jasper. “With grown-up children, it was an opportunity to build a place just for them, with a separate bedroom wing for when their children or guests come to visit.”

The brief from the homeowners was to knit the home into the land, while also making the most of the views. The couple was keen to maximise the moderately sloping site and make use of as many natural materials as possible.

“We like the fact that it’s out of the wind,” says the homeowner. “Outside, you can see the tussocks moving in the wind, but from inside, it feels really tucked in and cosy. It has the feel of a lodge, with lovely timber beams and a decent overhanging soffit.”

The heart of this home lies in its distinctive design elements and use of natural materials. The structure features a curved board-form concrete wall that not only anchors it into the hillside but also acts as a thermal mass, regulating interior temperatures. A striking folded roof form adds a dynamic flair to the living and master bedroom areas, with expansive glazed surfaces connecting the indoors with the breathtaking landscape outside. A green roof planted over the garage provides another nod to the environmental context.

The geometries of the folded roof and how it sat on the site were a challenge for Jasper to resolve in a tidy, ordered way. “We used lots of computer modelling and checking how this sat on the contours of the land to ensure it felt like it belonged comfortably on the site,” he says.

“The materials were generally chosen to be of the area,” says Jasper. “We had local volcanic stone walls from Banks Peninsula, in-situ board-formed concrete walls using local Canterbury aggregate and the green roof was planted in the types of tussocks found on the Port Hills.”

Builder Clive Barrington, a longtime collaborator with Sheppard & Rout, emphasises the intricacies of realising such a design.

“The nature of the build, mainly the complex in-situ concrete work, meant that not everyone could do it,” explains Clive. “From the curved walls to the natural stonework and exposed timber, each element had to be executed flawlessly to achieve the desired aesthetic and functional integrity. There was no margin for error.”

The choice of materials reflects the home’s commitment to sustainability and aesthetics. “Materials are generally honest and some are organic to fit the landscape,” says Clive.

Volcanic rock cladding not only adds visual interest but also blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, creating a seamless transition that enhances the home’s natural appeal. “The design is quite demanding, but my build team has completed it beautifully. I’m definitely proud of them.”

This home is a masterclass in architectural integration and environmental sensitivity. Through thoughtful design and material choices, the home not only complements its surroundings, it enhances the lives of its occupants. As Jasper says, “An architect should exceed the brief and expectations of the client, rather than give them exactly what they may have originally conceived. This design exceeded their expectations and gave them a very liveable home full of unexpected and surprising delights.”

As architectural trends in Aotearoa New Zealand continue to evolve towards sustainability and harmonious coexistence with nature, projects like this serve as inspiring examples of what can be achieved through creativity, craftsmanship and a deep respect for the environment.

The homeowners are delighted with the home and feel incredibly settled here. “We love the open spaces, the solid well-anchored feel and the large amount of daylight that comes into the home,” says the homeowner. “It’s a fantastic place to live.”