Nestled into the contours of a hillside overlooking Christchurch city, this 366sqm home has been designed to feel part of its landscape. Clad in dark cedar and steel, with concrete elements, the exterior is robust and grounded, echoing the volcanic rock of the surrounding Port Hills. Arranged across two levels, the home has been planned so that everyday living takes place primarily on the upper floor. Here, open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces flow onto a substantial suspended deck, complete with a louvred roof system and monumental concrete outdoor fireplace. Below, the house steps into the site to create a sheltered pool and spa area, and landscaped terraces.

Inside, heated, polished black-concrete floors run throughout the main living spaces, balanced by warm timber ceilings, dark built-in cabinetry and soft textural finishes. A skewed-angle roof pitch creates varying ceiling heights that subtly define each zone: the kitchen is lined in cedar with a higher raked ceiling and clerestory windows bringing in natural light, while the lowered white ceiling above the lounge creates a more intimate atmosphere. A snug media room wrapped in richly textured wallpaper offers a retreat at the end of the day. Four generous bedrooms and three high-spec bathrooms continue the refined material palette, with sliding doors opening onto balconies. Bold yet understated, this is a home shaped as much by craftsmanship as it is by its setting.