By New Work Studio / Tim Nees Architects
The house at Taylor’s Mistake in Christchurch is positioned on the edge of a hillside with stunning views to the bay and surrounding countryside. Conceived as a group of objects sitting on a shelf, in the manner of a still life, the house is intentionally pure and abstract while at the same time, through its materiality, it acknowledges the cottages and baches common to the area. The house is barely finished, with interiors and landscaping still to complete.
Photos by Eddie Simon
Tim Nees is one of New Zealand’s highly respected architects, and a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Architects.
Tim has been in Christchurch since early 2013 working on a wide range of commercial, healthcare, multi-housing and residential projects. In August 2014 he set up his own architectural studio and is now engaged in projects not only in Christchurch but in Dunedin, Marlborough, Wellington and other parts of New Zealand.
Previously based in Wellington, Tim established and led New Work Studio Architects for nearly twenty years there. In that time, his design focused practice was awarded twenty NZIA Architecture Awards, included the coveted National Award for Ranger Point House, built on Wellington’s southern coast.
Tim was also a partner in one of Wellington’s highly-regarded contemporary art galleries, running it as a complementary business to his architecture. He maintains strong connections with the arts community and claims his continual exposure to creative thinking contributed positively to his own creative practice.
A natural connector and lateral thinker, Tim recently held the position of Architect in Residence at the College of Engineering, University of Canterbury, working with engineering students, academics and professionals. His role was to promote closer collaboration between architects and engineers, and other professionals within the construction industry. He says his regular exposure to structural practice benefited his own architectural thinking, and can be seen in the structural framework for the recent Taylor’s Mistake House.
Tim prefers working in an open studio environment. His architecture practice has always emphasized the value of collaboration. Central to his philosophy of ‘thinking space, loving architecture’, Tim maintains great design happens when there are many minds at work around the table.