A dramatic in-situ concrete house on the side of a volcano

30 October 2022

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An incredibly steep site on the side of a dormant volcano provided the perfect opportunity to build a powerfully sculptural home.

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Residential Architecture Materials & Craft Indoor-outdoor New build Kitchen Living room Bedroom Timber Concrete Acoustics Design process Young Architects

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Raw concrete, extensive glazing, and timber accents dominate the design of this home nestled in the hills above Christchurch’s seaside suburb of Sumner.

Despite being perched on the edge of a dormant volcano on a 30 degree slope, the form hasn’t been compromised. The structure emerges from the landscape in cubed sections – its profile facing north-west with breathtaking views across the Pacific Ocean, and returning along the Southern Alps over Christchurch city.

With such a picturesque outlook, Young Architects had a simple design brief – for the home to capture the view. The site’s location, however, meant that it also needed to be low maintenance.

“The clients had only ever lived in the city, and understood the complications of maintaining a house on a site that’s as tricky as this one,” says Young Architects’ Greg Young. “But it’s worth it with a view like that.”

The home is built on the edge of a dormant volcano, on a site that has a 30 degree slope.

The entry from the road features a humble portal into the home, with a garage and home office located on the home's top level.

The entryway opens directly to the stair, providing a logical pathway down to the living space below.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing in the living pavilion looks out over the ocean and towards Christchurch city.

Equally dramatic and undemanding, in-situ Béton Brut – which translates directly from French to English as ‘raw concrete’ – was chosen for its structure and facade.

“We used it because it’s strong, beautiful, and resilient. We also used its thermal mass properties, exposing it to the afternoon sun and using it as a heat store. It offers flexibility, and it also offers the ability to keep the structure efficient.”

Often presenting a harsh aesthetic, Greg says that the concrete is softened by its textured formwork.

“Its variation, its depth and beauty… At first glance it looks like timber as you’ve got the timber grain coming through. It’s quite deceptive.”

The deliberate use of timber on the ceiling ensures acoustic benefits.

A monochromatic colour palette in the kitchen allows the view to take centre stage.

The simplicity of the scullery mimics the materiality of the kitchen and the overall simplicity of the building's design.

A dramatic in-situ concrete house on the side of a volcano

This material follows through to the interior, accompanied by western red cedar, where the home steps down the site over three floors, accessed via a central stair spine and a lift.

The top level acts as an entry portal with a garage and home office. Guests entering the house will get a glimpse of the view from here, however it isn’t until you set foot in the second level living area that the outlook can be fully enjoyed through the pavilion’s floor-to-ceiling glazing. Beneath this main living level are the bedrooms, located on the bottom floor.

By pairing the cedar with the textured and polished concrete that has been used throughout, a warmth is introduced to the aesthetic.

“Psychologically, concrete plays tricks on you to think it’s cold, even if it’s not. We’ve countered that by using a lot of timber – even though it’s not an increased temperature from the timber, you psychologically feel warmer because of the colour.”

The open-plan living space leads directly to the outdoor living space through floor-to-ceiling sliders.

Contrasting with the concrete, the western red cedar makes the space feel warm.

This TV lounge tucks in to the back of the living space and features a state-of-the-art wine storage system on one wall.

Its deliberate use on the ceiling is for acoustic benefit in each space – reflecting sound waves from the concrete floor, walls and surrounding glazing.

The simplicity of this materiality is mimicked in the kitchen with its clean lines and monochromatic colour scheme.

“The kitchen is designed to be simple. Everything about this house is about the view,” says Greg. “We’ve got a dark palette through the majority of the house, and the kitchen is light. Everything is neutral, to not detract from the view.”

Aside from working on the steep site, the challenge with this project was getting the balance between indoor and outdoor just right.

“On a site like this, you want to be outside and amongst the view, but because of the aspect you’re also very exposed to the winds.”

The north-west aspect of the building allows afternoon sun to enter the space.

A protected outdoor area with louvred roof at the end of the living space provides a sheltered loggia and balcony from the elements.

Its deliberate use on the ceiling is for acoustic benefit in each space – reflecting sound waves from the concrete floor, walls and surrounding glazing.

The simplicity of this materiality is mimicked in the kitchen with its clean lines and monochromatic colour scheme.

Aside from working on the steep site, the challenge with this project was getting the balance between indoor and outdoor just right.

“On a site like this, you want to be outside and amongst the view, but because of the aspect you’re also very exposed to the winds.”

The structure emerges from the landscape in cubed forms.

The home's three levels are accessed via a central stair spine and lift.

A loggia to the side of the interior living space extends into a balcony to offer protection from the elements. Adjustable louvres allow for this space to be used in all weather conditions, and paired with a wood burning fireplace, it is the perfect spot for the family to gather in the cooler months.

The balance between capturing the view while creating a functional family home, along with the balance of texture, concrete and timber, is what the Young Architects team is most proud of.

“It’s a home that when you visit, you don’t want to leave – it just feels right. You’ve got a magnificent view, but it’s also a comfortable home.”

Words by Cassie Birrer

Images by Lightforge Photography