Built in 1960 to a brief for “lots of light”, this house delivers with large, square windows punched through the red brick walls and dormer skylights inside. The house was very modern for suburban Christchurch in its day and was one of the first homes in the city with electric underfloor heating, back when electricity was free.

…continue reading 16 Westburn Tce. Barton House. John Trengrove.

Two fat ladies – Wobbly wobbly.

Hooray for Super Graphics.

This house was designed by Bruce during a brief period he practised on his own after leaving Warren & Mahoney in mid 60s. He left NZ for the UK in 1970.

An unassuming, pretty house that sits on the very base of the Cashmere Hill, looking toward the city. An early George Lucking design in red brick and timber and typical of 50s Christchurch modern architecture before the widespread move to concrete block.

…continue reading 1 Dyers Pass Rd. George Lucking.

Deceptively simple from the road, but closer inspection reveals a lovely intersection of lines and detail. The home sits elevated above the road, enjoying views to the alps, and is topped by a squat, chunky chimney design. Beautiful in its understatement.

…continue reading 126 Centaurus Rd. Don Cowey.

Guy Sellars’ own home designed in 1954. Guy and his wife still live here and he continues to practice as an architect into his 80th year. In 2008 won a local NZIA award for this house designed for his son.

…continue reading 20 Webb St. Sellars House. Lawry and Sellars.

Designed in 1958 as a weekender for Maurice Graham of Graham Construction on a sand spit in South Brighton, this home features a striking hyperboloid roof that was considered quite experimental at the time. The construction was complex and overseen by famed engineer Lyall Holmes, the original one piece aluminium roof having to be shipped from Australia.

…continue reading 73a Rockinghorse Rd. Graham House. Paul Pascoe.

Built in 1961, this small block of four flats is looking sad and defeated, but behind the trees and faded paint are the remnants of great architecture. Nice big deep concrete beams and a great chimney. Dear owner, please sort it out.

…continue reading 63 Papanui Rd. J J Connor flats. Warren & Mahoney.

A very early house by Peter designed in the mid 50s during his self-confessed ‘Swedish phase’. There’s no sauna, but this compact little cottage sets a good example for modest, well-designed living. The house is unpainted concrete block combined with simple weatherboard and feels just about right.

…continue reading 358 Memorial Ave. Gormack House. Peter Beaven

Maurice designed this house in 1955 for his father, prior to his partnership with Miles Warren. The house looks relatively plain today, but is interesting as it shows Maurice’s liking for long, open pavilions and pitched roofs: A theme he developed later with Warren and Mahoney in concrete block to produce the well-known ‘Noddy houses’.

…continue reading 104 Opawa Rd. Mahoney Snr House. Maurice Mahoney.

Mr Howden knew Miles’ dad at Pyne Gould Guinness and asked Warren Senior whether he knew any aspiring young architects. He did, and the house was built in 1957. Set in a beautiful garden overlooking the bay at Port Levy, the house is lived in by the original owner’s son and his wife.

…continue reading 45 Richfield Rd. JH Howden House. Warren & Mahoney.

A very early example and supposedly the eighth Warren & Mahoney house built. Known as the K. Uren House, small but perfectly formed with lots of architecture in a small package, just the way we like it.

…continue reading 22 Chepstow Ave. K Uren House. Warren & Mahoney.

Sitting right on the end of a volcanic spur and overlooking the estuary of the Avon and Heathcote, this wee ripper was built in 1957 and designed by Walter Linton. Perched precariously above Main Road, it’s one of Christchurch’s most well-known houses

…continue reading 2 Moncks Spur Rd. Barton House. Walter Linton.