CUSTOM ORB®: Crowning a Multi-Award-Winning Home by Steel & Tube

Kennedys Bush, Canterbury

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A new build in Halswell, Canterbury that reimagines classic residential architecture through a contemporary lens. Read more

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A Top-Down First Impression

The story began with clients who envisioned a home they could love and live in for years to come. In Halswell, they found a site unlike much of Christchurch, where the Port Hills meet the Canterbury Plains, creating an elevated setting that ultimately shaped the home's architectural response.

Kennedys Bush House offers an arrival unlike most homes. Approached from above, the roof takes centre stage long before the front door comes into view.

“Due to the site conditions, the roof is a very visible component. We needed a product and colour that looked right for the design,” says Patrick, Director of Coughlan Homes.

CUSTOM ORB® in Sandstone Grey was chosen for the pitched roof areas, its timeless corrugated profile complimenting the home's classic character, while the muted grey tone settles naturally into the surrounding landscape.

The same grey tone also tied in with the Viking Roofspec TPO membrane in Dove Grey used across the flat roofs and around the louvre area. Although designed for different roof forms and pitches, the shared color palette allows the two systems to sit comfortably alongside one another.

From Quote to Finishing Details

Given its visual prominence, this meant every roofing detail needed to earn its place, contributing not only to the building's performance, but also to its architectural ambitions.

Steel & Tube’s Christchurch Roofing Supply and Install team managed the roofing package from quote through to installation. The roofing scope included specifying and installing CUSTOM ORB®, Viking TPO membrane, 185mm Multiline fascia and downpipes, along with installing the home’s half-round spouting system.

One of the most intricate aspects of the roof was the transition between the pitched and flat roof sections. CUSTOM ORB® was used across the pitched roof, while TPO membrane provided a continuously sealed surface over the flatter roof and louvre areas, where rainwater drains more slowly.

Achieving a clean transition between the two roof forms required carefully formed raking cuts. Following the changing roofline with precision, these angled cuts demanded exceptional craftsmanship. It's a subtle detail from a distance, but one that contributes significantly to the roof’s seamless appearance.

Set within an exposed extra high wind zone, the roof also required additional fixings to withstand the greater wind forces acting on the building. At its highest point, a wide ridge profile was introduced, providing a deliberate finishing detail while accentuating the home's distinctive roofline.

A Decade of Building Together

Kennedys Bush House is the latest chapter in a working relationship between Coughlan Homes and Steel & Tube that spans over a decade. Over that time, Steel & Tube has become a preferred roofing partner.

“We’ve had a long-standing relationship, and working with their contracts manager, Matt Hawken, has always been a thorough and professional experience,” says Patrick.

“Communication around expected timeframes was clear, and any delays or concerns were discussed and mitigated where possible.”

For Coughlan Homes, what made Kennedys Bush House particularly rewarding was the collaborative approach taken throughout the build. While the clients arrived with a well-considered design for their dream home, the team was able to provide guidance along the way, including recommending a slight repositioning of the house to make better use of the site's natural contours. Their openness to advice allowed every decision to be made with the best possible outcome in mind.

Looking ahead, Coughlan Homes sees continued demand for homes that prioritise ease of living. Low-maintenance materials, smaller sections and “lock-up-and-leave” functionality are increasingly shaping homeowner preferences across Canterbury. While generous in scale, Kennedys Bush House reflects these priorities through its durable material palette and highly insulated envelope, delivering year-round comfort and lasting livability.

For Patrick and the team, however, success is measured by more than the finished home.

"We really enjoy the new home build area, where you can build long-lasting relationships far beyond the actual build," he says.

Kennedys Bush House's award-winning result speaks to the power of collaboration, bringing together an engaged client, skilled builder and trusted suppliers to deliver an exceptional home.