The location of this home, verging on land and sea in the Christchurch suburb of Redcliffs, meant material selection was focused on both durability and the creation of a subtle elegance suited to a remarkable landscape of natural beauty.
Perhaps unexpectedly, the pairing of materials devised by architect Duval O’Neill of Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects saw larch juxtaposed with rock and stainless steel.
At ground level, the form is at once solid and skeletal; a rock wall defines the pedestrian entry sequence, and gives way to vast areas of glazing interspersed with vertical larch that folds around the form as it expands and contracts, before meeting the stainless steel that extends the height of the eastern elevation and defines the majority of the upper storey.
The materials do two things particularly well. First, they recess into the tones of the landscape — the steel by picking up the ever-changing light, and the larch, which was finished with Dryden WoodOil Platinum, by echoing the sandy tones of the coast. The use of Platinum, one of the lightest in the Dryden WoodOil range, allows the larch to retain its natural character and variation, accentuating the sense of movement this dynamic form presents. Second, both materials offer durability, a vital requirement for harsh coastal environments such as this.
Dryden WoodOil is designed in New Zealand for New Zealand conditions. A deeply migrating, non-filming timber protector, it prevents the absorption of water deep into the timber, preventing cupping and warping, and extending the lifespan of the timber.
Order your free liquid or timber sample at dryden.co.nz
Read more about Redcliffs House here.
