From this handsome home that stretches along a steep Christchurch slope, the views seem to go on forever. The sights are impressive — sweeps of sandy beach, breakers, bush, ocean and, on a good day, mountains — but so is the foresight. This may look like one house but is, in fact, two. The primary three-bedroom dwelling is home for the family who lives here, and the attached two-bedroom unit is for visiting parents. Both places in this duplex capture vistas from Sumner to as far north as Kaikōura. Given the small, tricky site with limited access, this was not a straightforward build and involved the use of cranes to deliver materials, but it’s clear skill, innovation and craftsmanship have won out. This is a place of drama, in the best possible way.

The 320sqm build has two distinct forms in metal tray cladding and board-and-batten timber. They also have much in common: the ground floors contain bedrooms and the upper levels are devoted to dreamy open-plan living. The bespoke kitchens in natural tones have high-end fixtures and fittings and both homes have engineered oak flooring throughout. Another commonality is indoor-outdoor flow to balconies. The latter have glass balustrades and span the width of the structures on both floors. If onshore winds become pesky, the residents can retreat to a sheltered courtyard out the back. It’s bliss, no matter the weather.