DESKTOP
MOBILE
Designed by: Darren O'Neil & Jacinda Shirley, O'Neil + Architecture
Photography by: Sarah Rowlands
Owner brief
The brief called for a private, resort-inspired home that felt calm, serene, and secluded.
It needed to support the lifestyle of a growing family, offer strong and seamless connection to the outdoors, and utilise natural materials in a refined and restrained way.
The aesthetic was to be clean and minimal, while also delivering a sense of warmth, comfort, and permanence.
Site and contextual response
The house is sited on a generous, private section in the outer suburbs of Christchurch.
Surrounded by established trees, the home is positioned to maximise light, privacy, and connection to nature – while maintaining a strong sense of enclosure and retreat.
The expansive single-level layout takes full advantage of the site’s scale, allowing the floor plan to be pulled apart and take up space.
By doing this, we introduced a series of interesting spatial moments, sheltered courtyards, and curated view shafts.
Architecture and materiality
The architecture is contemporary, confident, and timeless.
One of the home’s defining features is its opposing raking rooflines, which create a striking silhouette and add sculptural volume to the interiors.
These forms allow for clerestory glazing that draws in natural light and frames elevated views of the surrounding trees and sky.
Material selections have been deliberately restrained.
Cedar cladding will silver over time, blending into the natural backdrop.
Internally, a palette of soft, earthy tones, moody accents, and rich timber textures brings a grounded elegance to the home.
The result is warm and layered, while still feeling resolved.
Designed for family life
Every element of the home is designed to support a growing family.
The home offers spatial clarity and flow, with shared zones that promote togetherness and private wings that allow for retreat.
At its heart, the open-plan living area – anchored by a kitchen of timeless materiality and thoughtful detailing – extends seamlessly to a series of outdoor living zones, equally suited to entertaining, relaxing, or the rhythm of everyday life.
One of the more unique and inviting spaces is the outdoor sunken BBQ area adjacent to the terrace.
Recessed slightly below the main floor level, it provides an entertaining area that’s both protected and relaxed.
Aesthetic and atmosphere
The home’s form is simple and deliberate, sloping ceilings draw in natural light, while the use of texture, material, and proportion creates spaces that feel both open and comfortable.
Two of the home’s most memorable moments are found at the entry and in the master ensuite.
As you arrive, the slanted roof appears to float above a sculptural glass box, framed by a dramatic stone wall, which looks particularly beautiful lit up at night.
Inside, the master ensuite offers a serene view into a private landscaped courtyard with a large rock water feature.
Thoughtful design and natural materials come together to elevate the everyday into something calm and spa-like.
There is a balance throughout – between openness and privacy, structure and softness, scale and simplicity.
The result is a home that feels calm, grounded, and easy to live in.
Conclusion
This home is a thoughtful and lasting response to the brief – offering a sense of calm, strong connections to the outdoors, and a clear architectural vision.
It meets the needs of modern family living while providing the feel of a private retreat.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
Credit List
ArchitectDarren O'Neil & Jacinda Shirley, O'Neil + Architecture | BuilderWayne Murray Builders |
Kitchen designLume Design – joinery and lighting design | Kitchen benchtopSuper White Calacatta stone, installed by Shane Boyd Granite Benchtops |
LandscapeBackyard Projects; Texture Plants | PoolNiveau Pools & Construction |
CladdingThe plaster under the roofing is a combination of Rockcote Plaster Systems Integra and Masonry render systems. All were installed by Properly Plastered using Resene Construction Systems. | RoofDimond Hi-five Colorsteel; Profiled Metal Roof Cladding |
Louvre systemLouvretec | Window/door joineryAltherm Architectural & Metro Series powder-coated double glazed aluminium door and window joinery |
Main flooringThe prime grade engineered European Oak timber flooring throughout the entry, laundry, mudroom passage, kitchen and dining areas is supplied and installed by Swinard Wooden Floors. The 220mm-wide planks were installed using a direct-fix method, then sanded and coated with a German hardwax oil. | Interior floor tilesNextdore Interiors |
Exterior tilesBrymac Tiles | FireplaceEscea 1650 gas fire |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended |
Owner brief
The brief called for a private, resort-inspired home that felt calm, serene, and secluded.
It needed to support the lifestyle of a growing family, offer strong and seamless connection to the outdoors, and utilise natural materials in a refined and restrained way.
The aesthetic was to be clean and minimal, while also delivering a sense of warmth, comfort, and permanence.
Site and contextual response
The house is sited on a generous, private section in the outer suburbs of Christchurch.
Surrounded by established trees, the home is positioned to maximise light, privacy, and connection to nature – while maintaining a strong sense of enclosure and retreat.
The expansive single-level layout takes full advantage of the site’s scale, allowing the floor plan to be pulled apart and take up space.
By doing this, we introduced a series of interesting spatial moments, sheltered courtyards, and curated view shafts.
Architecture and materiality
The architecture is contemporary, confident, and timeless.
One of the home’s defining features is its opposing raking rooflines, which create a striking silhouette and add sculptural volume to the interiors.
These forms allow for clerestory glazing that draws in natural light and frames elevated views of the surrounding trees and sky.
Material selections have been deliberately restrained.
Cedar cladding will silver over time, blending into the natural backdrop.
Internally, a palette of soft, earthy tones, moody accents, and rich timber textures brings a grounded elegance to the home.
The result is warm and layered, while still feeling resolved.
Designed for family life
Every element of the home is designed to support a growing family.
The home offers spatial clarity and flow, with shared zones that promote togetherness and private wings that allow for retreat.
At its heart, the open-plan living area – anchored by a kitchen of timeless materiality and thoughtful detailing – extends seamlessly to a series of outdoor living zones, equally suited to entertaining, relaxing, or the rhythm of everyday life.
One of the more unique and inviting spaces is the outdoor sunken BBQ area adjacent to the terrace.
Recessed slightly below the main floor level, it provides an entertaining area that’s both protected and relaxed.
Aesthetic and atmosphere
The home’s form is simple and deliberate, sloping ceilings draw in natural light, while the use of texture, material, and proportion creates spaces that feel both open and comfortable.
Two of the home’s most memorable moments are found at the entry and in the master ensuite.
As you arrive, the slanted roof appears to float above a sculptural glass box, framed by a dramatic stone wall, which looks particularly beautiful lit up at night.
Inside, the master ensuite offers a serene view into a private landscaped courtyard with a large rock water feature.
Thoughtful design and natural materials come together to elevate the everyday into something calm and spa-like.
There is a balance throughout – between openness and privacy, structure and softness, scale and simplicity.
The result is a home that feels calm, grounded, and easy to live in.
Conclusion
This home is a thoughtful and lasting response to the brief – offering a sense of calm, strong connections to the outdoors, and a clear architectural vision.
It meets the needs of modern family living while providing the feel of a private retreat.
Find more design ideas and inspiration at trendsideas.com
[clean_tags]
Credit List
ArchitectDarren O'Neil & Jacinda Shirley, O'Neil + Architecture | BuilderWayne Murray Builders |
Kitchen designLume Design – joinery and lighting design | Kitchen benchtopSuper White Calacatta stone, installed by Shane Boyd Granite Benchtops |
LandscapeBackyard Projects; Texture Plants | PoolNiveau Pools & Construction |
CladdingThe plaster under the roofing is a combination of Rockcote Plaster Systems Integra and Masonry render systems. All were installed by Properly Plastered using Resene Construction Systems. | RoofDimond Hi-five Colorsteel; Profiled Metal Roof Cladding |
Louvre systemLouvretec | Window/door joineryAltherm Architectural & Metro Series powder-coated double glazed aluminium door and window joinery |
Main flooringThe prime grade engineered European Oak timber flooring throughout the entry, laundry, mudroom passage, kitchen and dining areas is supplied and installed by Swinard Wooden Floors. The 220mm-wide planks were installed using a direct-fix method, then sanded and coated with a German hardwax oil. | Interior floor tilesNextdore Interiors |
Exterior tilesBrymac Tiles | FireplaceEscea 1650 gas fire |
AwardsTrends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended |
Related Articles
Divided interests
Four gabled wings separate areas of use in this home, while providing shelter for an outdoor lounge – stone, metal and timber cladding connects with the rugged landscape
Contrast and connection
Featuring a grounded masonry base and light timber upper level, this contemporary, social home celebrates natural light, optimised outlooks, and a sense of privacy
Selecting Cladding Materials for Street Appeal
Durability, weather resistance, and visual impact
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.
Altus Window Systems
Altus is a leading New Zealand manufacturer and exporter of innovative designs in aluminium extrusions and extrusion-based building systems.
Altus is an award winning leader of the Aluminium extrusion and rolled product market. We specialise in design, manufacture, import and export of extrusion and rolled product, and distribute to both local and International markets.
We’re experts in creating solutions to integrate and partner with our customers across a wide range of sectors; marine, transport, architectural systems, window and door fabrication, mechanical engineering and agricultural industries.
Luxaflex®
Luxaflex® has been adding style and sophistication to New Zealand windows since the 1950s. Our design heritage is founded on innovation for today and tomorrow while taking care to celebrate the beauty in the details. To us, form and function are synonymous. Consistently pushing the boundaries, we are proud to be the market-leaders in daylight regulation and solar heat control solutions.
We combine unique design and practical features to create outstanding products – the essential ingredients for creating any discerning home.
Plantation Bamboo
Building or renovating your space? It’s not just about finding materials that match your values of sustainability and durability; you want them to look fantastic too. But with so many options out there, the search can be daunting.
That’s where Plantation Bamboo comes in.
We understand the challenges you face in navigating through countless choices. That’s why we specialise exclusively in bamboo. Our focus is to simplify your search for the perfect building material that not only meets your sustainability and durability criteria but also adds a touch of natural elegance to your space.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.