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.
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.
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.
This particular house is noteworthy more for it’s owner than architect. Professor Roy Kerr commissioned this house after returning to New Zealand in 1972. Kerr is a super-scientist, recipient of the Rutherford Medal and the subject of the semi-biographical book Cracking the Einstein Code. That aside, he had a pretty sweet house that’s subsequently been furnished like a cheap motel.
…continue reading 68B Creyke Rd. Prof. Kerr House. Warren & Mahoney.
We don’t normally do real estate listings, but why not?
This townhouse is particularly good; designed around ’66 and renovated nicely in the noughties by Warren & Mahoney’s Richard McGowan (please contact Richard directly with any questions regarding the chequer plate stair treads). The building feels like the perfect prototype (and archetype) of the modern Christchurch inner-city home: beautiful and efficient in materials and design. At the open home make sure to say loudly, “mmm, very Miles”.
Two houses overlooking the Estuary. The brief was for “two bedroom apartments suitable for retired couples”. Not wildly exciting, but the architects did a pretty good job in comparison to the vomitous ‘over 60s’ duplex buildings scattered all over Christchurch.
…continue reading 235 Mount Pleasant Rd. Boulton House. Pascoe, Linton.
Interesting to see Don’s take on the ‘Big Fendalton House’ – there are so many today the suburb has ate itself. Instead of the exposed blocks and concrete of W&M we get more modest proportions and softer, cedar cladding. Minor updates and alterations since 1971 have added to the charm of what is still a very nice, modern manor.
…continue reading 46 Wroxton Tce. Don Cowey.
On the flat, the W&M roofs were steep and the chimneys monumentally tall. Here on the hillside, this 1965 house is low, boxy and clad in timber. The full width concrete balustrade is pretty tasty and a nice link to W&Ms more brutalist, commercial work..
…continue reading 17 Michael Ave. Langley House. Warren & Mahoney.
