Christchurch Modern » Fendalton

45 Chepstow Ave. Willis House. Gavin Willis.

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 08:04:48 +0000

Gavin Francis Willis is an architect still active in Christchurch. He designed this beautiful house for himself back in the 60s and still lives here (and who can blame him). It’s a crisp, modernist Scandinavian-style family home, clearly much-loved and an excellent, intact expression of the Christchurch Style. The design owes a lot to Miles Warren and Holger Henning Hansen, but if you’re going to steal, you may as well steal from the best.

46 Wroxton Tce. Don Cowey.

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:09:12 +0000

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.

119 River Rd. H F Redmond House. Peter Beaven.

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:08:10 +0000

Strange. Is this is a house, temple or the Albanian Embassy? Peter’s designs often defy categorisation and sometimes, it is what it is: Pagoda entrance, stone columns, textured cinder bricks & full-length water feature. Fullstop.

2 Cobham St. Charles Thomas.

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:48:19 +0000

A tip-off from Stephen led us to this wee jewel by a stream in Spreydon. Stephen is a fan the original 60s design and wonders if it may be a Peter Beaven? He could well be right. The house also has similarities to the Charles Thomas’ designed Fielding House with its folded roof and blockwork. We like it a lot.

53a Garreg Rd. E F Flood House. Don Donnithorne.

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:08:34 +0000

Originally set on a half-acre block with orchard trees, the home has a northerly aspect and is constructed of red brick and pine boards. It’s nice the way the big fireplace and chimney punch through the Western wall. Good stuff, Don.

61 Wai-iti Tce. Don Cowey.

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:53:02 +0000

This early 60s home hasn’t fared well under heavy-handed alterations and mis-judged additions. The summerhill stone and timber has been painted over and the overall feel is of a builder’s show home. The red stuff is just plain silly.

38 Stratford St. Mace House. Griffiths, Moffat & Partners.

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:07:24 +0000

Frank Lloyd Wright meets Brady Bunch House ranch modernism in 1970s Fendalton. The ultra low pitched roof looks sweet in combination with the well-chosen sandstone, dark timber and super-clean brickwork. Nice job.

19 McDougall Ave. Hobbs House. Lawry and Sellars.

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:19:20 +0000

Designed to give maximum sun to as many rooms as possible, this concrete block and weatherboard design featured in the Christchurch Art Gallery Group Show, November 1963. Originally the blocks were painted white, but on the whole the home is well-preserved and still looks smart.

15b Glandovey Rd. Don Cowey.

admin — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:22:17 +0000

Hidden behind the Honda Jazz is another lovely Cowey home, unassuming from the driveway in the Christchurch style of steeply pitched roofs and white painted concrete block. Inside, beautiful woodwork and split-level open spaces combine to produce a lovely, crafted home.

88 Glandovey Rd. Bruce McGowan.

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:20:55 +0000

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.