The Wades were farmers who once owned most of the land which is now Ilam.  When they sold the farm they kept some of the land and Warren & Mahoney did a few projects for them including this house and the Birchdale flats in Newbridge Place – a cul-de-sac full of Modern architecture and well worth visiting.

…continue reading 29 Wadeley Rd. Wade House. Warren & Wahoney.

An artists sanctuary and studio on the CBD fringe designed for artist Bill Sutton by fellow artist and sculptor Tom Taylor in 1961. The two storey house is simple in design and feels very tranquil inside and out thanks to dappled light from the rambling garden.

…continue reading 20 Templar St. Sutton House. Tom Taylor.

Christchurch Art Gallery.

18 – 24 October, 10am – 4pm on the hour.

This film profiles the interior and exterior of four modern houses in Christchurch using archival photographs and contemporary video with voiceover from architects and inhabitants.

…continue reading Four Houses From Four Decades

Post-War Canterbury Architecture 1945-1970

15 October – 1 November. An exhibition of architectural drawings and models held, appropriately, in the Minson, Henning-Hanson and Dines building that won the NZIA National Award in 1976.

…continue reading Constructing The Modern City.

Very nice example of a ‘Pixie House’, but not by Warren & Mahoney. A copy of the W&M signature style by architect David Allan and just down the road from the W&M Papprill House it steals its plan from: Three separate roof forms: two parallel wings linked by a central block containing the entrance. W&M spawned many imitators, but this one is the best of the fakes. The lattice gates must go.

…continue reading 42 Idris Rd. Not Warren & Mahoney.

When this house was built in the early 60s it sat on recently sub-divided farmland on the top of Cashmere Hill and had no neighbours. The exterior is a combination of Dunedin brick and rimu weatherboards with cantilevered balconies from both floors. Difficult to see much from the street, but period photos show nice detail.

…continue reading 19 Takahe Dr. P H Russel House. Don Donnithorne

Truly a home that reflect its surroundings, this severe glass and steel box blends surprisingly well into the landscape. It must feel quite exhibitionist on the inside and has the feel of Philip Johnson in mirrored sunglasses.

…continue reading 18 Butler Street. Maurice Mahoney.

Good lines and nice original condition make this 1960s house an easy selection. Incidentally, we’re offering a two week amnesty for all Christchurch Modern home owners to hand in their SkyTV satellite dishes – no questions asked.

…continue reading 4 Balmoral Lane. Architect Unknown.

We’ve seen Pixie Houses in many different configurations, but this seaside bach must be one of the smallest. The Schneideman family already had a lovely Warren & Mahoney home in Fendalton when they commissioned this scale model in Akaroa.

…continue reading 11 Aubrey St. Schneideman House. Warren & Mahoney.

Everyone loves this house down in Sumner, including us. It’s built on an awfully narrow block, but cleverly uses open plan living on the upper level to make the most of the space and view – unheard of in 1945. Originally filled with Garth Chester plywood furniture, which Pascoe admired, the house has been nicely updated over the years and still stands out for all the good reasons.

…continue reading 58 Colenso St. Piano House. Paul Pascoe

A lovely home for builder Ross Fielding. Originally the garage was open and accentuated the sculptural roof which folds down over the sides of the house and rests lightly on the exterior walls.

…continue reading 4 Gunns Cr. Ross W T Fielding House. Charles R Thomas.

Heavily…er…influenced by Finn Juhl’s 1942 House, this beautiful home was clearly dear to Miles Warren who painted some beautiful perspective watercolours of the design. The fact the owners have lived in this home for 37 years says a lot.

…continue reading 210 Clyde Rd. R H Ballantyne House. Warren & Mahoney.