“Ample space for the grandchildren.” These were the words of homeowners Paul and Jill as they got clear about what they were looking for in their newly acquired Akaroa holiday home. The quiet site, within walking distance of the beach and main village, had been owned by the previous occupants for over 50 years. So, although the existing cottage was well-loved, it wasn’t going to meet the new owners’ needs. But all was not lost.
“Rather than demolish the cottage, we managed to move it through the fence to the neighbours’ property. It was a delightful win for both parties,” says Paul.
Alongside catering for their grandchildren, the couple wanted to maximise access to the beach. They had previously built at Lake Brunner and wanted a holiday home closer to their Christchurch residence. “We used the experience of building at Lake Brunner to get clear on what we wanted to create for this home in Akaroa,” says Paul.
The result is a stunning and spacious home, big enough for Paul and Jill’s children and grandchildren to all stay together. Plus enough off-street parking for eight vehicles and a boat. “I’m a keen diver and fisherman, so we knew we needed space for easy access to the boat.”
Lush louvres: The SkyLouvre Concertina – New Zealand’s first retractable roof louvre – from Johnson & Couzins is a great way to create privacy and shelter the home from prevailing winds and strong sunshine.
Akaroa, with its French-influenced charm and breathtaking natural beauty, has long been a beloved destination for Christchurch residents wanting to get away from the city. Its vibrant waterfront, charming cafés and restaurants serve as the perfect backdrop for this family’s retreat. The contemporary 290 square metre home blends seamlessly with the more colonial architecture of the township. The use of natural materials creates a sophisticated and comfortable home.
The design prioritises spaciousness and functionality, first and foremost. Sam Connell of Figure and Ground is the architectural designer: “This is an example of timeless contemporary architecture,” he says.
The north-facing home, with large overhangs and a simple form, has outstanding design flow, and the floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout the home provides stunning harbour views from every room. “The glazing arrangement is a key feature, which maximises the natural light through the interior spaces, as well as capturing the Akaroa Harbour vista,” says Sam. “This well-considered home makes the most of the beautiful harbour setting and the surrounding environment.”
Smooth and sleek: The sleek aesthetic of the tray roof profile has been brought to fruition by the talented team at Reads Roofing, specialists in this type of roofing.
Irwin Decorating: From top to bottom, the Irwin Decorating team has made a fantastic job of painting this home to give that cosy and warm feeling the moment you step through the door.
Earthy black cedar cladding, low maintenance tray cladding and the mono-pitch roof comprise the home’s exterior materials. “The design was a clean process,” says Sam. “Paul and Jill trusted us, and we love the modern approach we’ve taken with this impressive home with all its different spaces.”
Multiple living areas, both inside and outside, provide ample room for the different generations to come and go. Homeowner Paul says, “The downstairs games room works really well for the grandchildren. And the upstairs deck with the gas pizza oven and fireplace is a great space for the adults to congregate.” The couple loves the versatility of the outdoor room, and they’ve also incorporated a separate media room that doubles as a fifth bedroom.
The pool, although initially seen as an extravagance by Paul and Jill, has turned out to be an excellent asset for the entire family. “It’s been a bonus for everyone,” adds Paul.
Paul and Jill were delighted with the work of both the architectural designer and the builder. Of Sam Petrie, Director at Petrie Construction, Paul says, “He was beyond exemplary. He’s built townhouses for me before, and I love his attention to detail. The home was built so perfectly that no compensation was required by the roofers. He’s a craftsman, an architectural designer and a builder.”
Interior reflections: "Every home is a special undertaking," says Lili from Lili's Interiors. "The interiors need to be a continuation of the outdoor landscape.” White walls were chosen with blues and greens for the soft furnishings, mimicking the muted colours of the sea and hills. Cushion and sofa fabrics are from Ralph Lauren, Anna French and Warwick. Elegant, yet comfortable, and designed to be enjoyed by the family.
Sam Petrie, from Petrie Construction, is no stranger to working with complex architectural builds such as this one.
“I actually trained in architecture,” says Sam. “I did my degree in Christchurch, but on graduating I very quickly worked out I didn’t want to be sat in an office. So, I retrained as a builder and set up Petrie Construction in 2017.”
This breadth of knowledge of both the architectural and building world comes in handy on a daily basis for Sam, and this build was no exception. “It’s often in the drawing details that I notice how things can be modified to bring a better, longer lasting or more practical result for the client,” says Sam. “For example, in this build, I heard Paul say that he wanted the deck to be waterproof from below, so I designed a guttering system that would look great and do the job required.”
Paul was delighted with the result and also compliments Sam on his aptitude to solve problems on the fly, saving everyone time and energy. “We would have video calls on WhatsApp if Sam needed my input on any issues along the way. And he used a fantastic troop of contractors.”
The challenges of Covid-induced supply issues were extensive with this build, but Sam was able to think outside the box and work in a way that served his client. “We did the Gib-fixing ourselves, and when finding timber frames was an issue, we cut all the wood ourselves. Dan, our foreman, put his heart and soul into the build, and we’re very grateful for his reliability and hard work.”
Despite the multiple challenges of this build, the homeowners moved in by the agreed date, just in time for Christmas. It’s the relationships and sense of care that held this project together, and these connections continue to live on through the family now enjoying it.
Easy elegance
This stunning kitchen has been smartly designed and executed by Hilton Kitchens Joinery. Known for meeting deadlines and completing every job to the highest standard, the team at Hilton Kitchens specialise in custom kitchen design, manufacture and installation.
Weaving a generational feel into this Akaroa bach, DA Lewis Furniture expertly crafts comfortable and functional spaces, capturing coastal vistas and enriching family moments with a carefully curated range of custom, New Zealand-made dining, living and lounge furniture.
