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A very exposed rural site in an outstanding natural landscape is the setting for this family farmhouse on Banks Peninsula, near Christchurch.

Council requirements meant that the house could not dominate the hill side and height restrictions meant only a single storey solution was possible. The chosen location for the house was just beneath a ridge line facing north-west with an expansive view out over the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. The design allowed the home to recede into the hill side, a row of concrete block buttress walls affording a regular deep shadowing across the main facade. These buttresses also serve to anchor the home to the foundations and resist wind loads and uplift. A gently curved asymmetrical roof mimics the ground slope and gently deflects the strong winds over the building. Wind noise within the home is reduced and the internal curved ceiling adds a sense of height and space appropriate to the setting.

Robust materials were chosen to cope with the environmental conditions and blend with the tussock landscape. These comprised buff-coloured concrete blocks, a natural soil colour of the region, contrasted with dark stained timber weatherboards to reinforce the depth and shadow of the facade.

The home provides a wonderful refuge for a growing family whilst supporting the practicalities of day-to-day farm life.

Chaplin Crooks Architects
Canterbury

Professionals used in
The Tussocks

About the
Professional

Chaplin Crooks Architects is a medium-sized practice based in Ferrymead, Christchurch. Director John Chaplin started his own business in 1976, specialising in residential hillside homes and alterations. Stephen Crooks and John Chaplin then formed the practice of Chaplin Crooks Architects Ltd in 2003, and long-term employee Greg Miller joined them as a partner in 2015.

We are Christchurch architects with over 40 years’ experience working on new builds, difficult sites, complex alterations and earthquake repairs we’re the residential architecture specialists to guide you through your project’s many challenges.

We have a collaborative approach to design. Most projects will be completed by a team consisting of a project architect and a Technician, and we openly discuss projects within the office to make the most of our wide-ranging experience and skill sets.

We believe that the design and building of your new home should be wonderful and memorable experience. When you invest in good design you will get the benefit of our creativity and experience in the form of a wonderful home that you will enjoy living in for years to come.