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.
…continue reading 119 River Rd. H F Redmond House. Peter Beaven.
This home is typically unorthodox and in keeping with Peter’s design at the time, similar in style and materials to his characterful Tonbridge Mews. The home is split over three levels accessed by a spiral wooden staircase that forms the spine of the building. Extensive timber detailing, arched doorways and eccentric touches like the large red hemispherical plastic window in the living area are all pure Beaven.
…continue reading 47 Moncks Spur Rd. Redcliffs House. Peter Beaven.
Andrew Barrie shas compiled another excellent architectural tour – this time it’s our favourite non-conformist, Peter Beaven. The guide features some of Peter’s key buildings from 1950-70 including a few of the houses featured right here on Christchurch Modern.
The lovely angled roofline must have been a relief from the symmetry of 1960s suburban Christchurch and a good example of Peter’s early Swedish-inspired forms. The house has been added to and modified to suit the current tenants, the University of Canterbury Child Care.
…continue reading 116 Ilam Rd. Peter Beaven.
Modified – and lacking some of its original charm – but still recognisable as the strikingly unconventional Swedish barn that Peter designed for an awkward hill site in the 60s. A lovely, unadorned design for a small family with carefully placed window openings, two living areas downstairs and 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a playroom upstairs.
…continue reading 128 Dyers Pass Rd. Askew House. Peter Beaven.
In an attempt to raise the tone of the site David has submitted this series of art shots entitled DSC00003.JPG.
Peter Beaven is unsurprisingly popular out in North Canterbury for his ability to design attractive homes sensitive to the often-harsh climate.
…continue reading 100 White St. Robin Smith House. Peter Beaven.
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
Peter doesn’t like to visit Fendalton, but made an exception in the 1960s to build this grand home on Glandovy Rd. It’s interesting to note Peter’s slightly more individual take – hexagonal chimney and asymmetrical roof lines – on the ‘big, white Fendalton house’ done so well by Warren and Mahoney.
…continue reading 92c Glandovy Rd. Beaven Hunt.
Peter Beaven’s 1974 attempt at ‘village living’ is a good one and still looks tight. He avoids the repetition and uniformity of typical townhouses by varying the design of each home. Porthole windows and intersecting rooflines add some fun.
…continue reading Tonbridge Mews. Peter Beaven.
This Ian Athfield 1968 house is a rare Christchurch example of his residential work, designed for his school rowing coach. Before Athfield came to prominence in Wellington, he’d spent time under the tutelage of Miles Warren and the influence in this early work is obvious.
…continue reading 35a St Martins Rd. Jones House. Ian Athfield.
Featured in NZ Womens Weekly, 1963. “Mrs Selwyn Carson told Peter Beaven she admired the ‘cots’ at Akaroa and wanted ‘a modern interpretation of a traditional stye cottage with a verandah’. Mrs Carson, a doctor’s wife with four children, had also requested that the house be childproof or more specifically boy-proof.”
…continue reading 16 Dyers Pass Rd. Carson House. Peter Beaven.
