Gavin Willis is an architect still active in Christchurch. He designed this house for himself back in the 60s and still lives here. It’s a crisp, modernist Scandinavian-style family house, clearly much-loved and a great, intact example of the Christchurch Style. The design owes a lot to Miles Warren and W&M, but if you’re going to steal, you may as well steal from the best.

…continue reading 45 Chepstow Ave. Willis House. Gavin Willis.

This is the second house S’Miles designed for his buddy Garth Gould on a sunny spot above Halswell Quarry. The first house, its neighbour, was sold and subsequently messed with quite a bit, but this one is very original (kitchen and family room aside) with lots of good W&M detail. Garth talks about the old days below.

Turns out, there’s a little bit of Miles in the Hutt. For Wellingtonians who like a little Christchurch Modern, we present the first MJ Foster House – five years before going the whole hog in Havelock North, MJ commissioned this Lower Hutt pixie as a test run.

…continue reading 55 Orr Crescent. MJ Foster House. Warren & Mahoney.

After returning from Japan, and prior to moving back to Christchurch in 1956, Peter was in partnership with Robert A. Heaney in Timaru. This is the first house we’ve seen of the partnership – they were recent graduates and mostly designed woolstores – and places it as early-to-mid 1950s.

…continue reading 20 Connolly St Geraldine. Stafford House. Beaven & Heaney.

A good house, essentially untouched since the 1950s, is hard to find. And this simple, low-pitched number is an understated treasure with a great view. Air the place out, sell the chandeliers, reinstate the fireplace, and move right in.

…continue reading 24 Macmillan Ave. Griffiths, Moffat & Partners.

Straight from the 70s Warren & Mahoney style book – white concrete block, recessed square windows and deep concrete beams. Is it the real deal? Perhaps a junior W&M designer taking a job on the side? Or a colleague’s flattering tribute to the Cambridge Tce studio?

…continue reading 5 Westenra Tce. Architect Unknown.

Jackpot. Hiding in the bushes, just down the road from Lincoln University’s wonderful Corbusian Hilgendorf Building, is this certified peach. Everything we see by Allan Mitchener is good, the problem is we don’t see enough. We know he worked in Christchurch, moved north, taught at Auckland University, but that’s it. Who knows more? Commenting is free this month.

…continue reading 9 Fitz Place. Allan Mitchener.

The remarkable thing about this home is not so much the design (which is good), but the condition. Since 1953, it’s had nothing but a light feather dusting. The original owners are moving on, so if you fancy a slice of post-war optimism and one of Don D’s very first designs, shake a leg.

…continue reading 34b Creyke Rd. Don Donnithorne.

In 1965 there was good money to be made from townhouse developments. So much so, that developers employed architects and spent money on design detail. W&M did a lot of this kind of work and this is one of their best. Four townhouses, cleverly staggered to give each a fireplace and privacy, beautifully detailed inside and out.

…continue reading 33 Newbridge Pl. Pearson Flats. Warren & Mahoney.

One day in 1964 a man called Duncan Winder from Wellington visited Christchurch and took some pictures of Warren & Mahoney residences. That’s pretty much the extent of the story, unless people know more?

…continue reading Warren & Mahoney by Duncan Winder.

Park Lane is up for sale. Who cares? You do. It’s arguably New Zealand’s first modernist house, designed in 1938 by Humphrey after returning from London. He was clearly impressed with Corbusier and designed this villa in the streamlined International Style complete with nautical details and an open sun-deck. Back when UV exposure, like smoking, was good for your health.

…continue reading For Sale. Park Lane. Humphrey Hall.

Now heavily disguised as a shit house and hiding right under our noses is this very early Athfield design, sketched for his brother in 1963 whilst Ath was studying in Auckland. To see it today, painted yellow with a second storey and portico, causes acute intestinal gas.

…continue reading 216 Centaurus Rd. Tony Athfield House. Ian Athfield.