Unpainted concrete block is back in fashion, but it’s rare to see an original 70s home that’s avoided a Tuscan-themed makeover with aluminium joinery conservatory and alfresco deck & hot tub addition.

Bravo.

…continue reading 19 Main Rd. Architect Unknown.

A little out of town, in Timaru, but an important house in Christchurch architecture being Warren & Mahoney’s very first. Miles reminisces in a recent interview with John Walsh in NZ Architecture…

…continue reading 94 Mountain View Rd. Raymond House. Warren & Mahoney.

Designed in 1951, this small 80 sq/m 2-bedroom house was commissioned by two elderly spinster sisters from Sumner. A surprising design solution for two women born in the late 19th century. For reasons unknown the sisters sold the house 4 years later and moved back to Sumner.

…continue reading 7 James St. Stewart Minson.

A very clean, unadorned box clad in rough cut boards and perched upon a beautiful off-shutter concrete base. There’s a fair bit of vegetation concealing the in-situ concrete details, but some sharp secateurs and a barrel of napalm would make short work of it.

…continue reading 3 Brigid Pl. PJ Phillips House. Warren & Mahoney

Keith Mackenzie’s own home built in 1961, showing the delicate skills of this much underrated firm. Hall & Mackenzie were former partners of Paul Pascoe and lead designers of the University of Canterbury’s formidable Registry building.

…continue reading 23 Desmond St. Mackenzie House. Hall & Mackenzie.

Compact 1940s weatherboard cottage in the style of Paul Pascoe, Vernon Brown & Humphrey Hall. Most definitely a home from the school of early NZ modernist architects who equated modernism with modesty.

…continue reading 60 Creyke Rd. Architect Unknown.

Neat little concrete block number with a mono pitched roof and central chimney. Over 40 years old and looking fresh, it makes the most of the Canterbury plains view with the Northern wall floor to ceiling glass.

…continue reading 109 Old Tai Tapu Rd. Don Donnithorne.