This generous home was an earthquake damage rebuild, and it sits at the top of Scarborough, overlooking Sumner Beach with expansive views through to Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps through to the Kaikoura Ranges. The building was designed to exploit those fantastic views. The two-storey structure includes a three car garage to the street, with living spaces overlooking a large courtyard and infinity-edged pool.
A spine cantilevered staircase accesses bedrooms and a studio above. The building itself works as a two storey wrap with exterior bookends on both sides of the courtyard to maintain privacy for both owner and neighbours, establishing a sense of peaceful isolation and privacy. Those bookends also provide shelter from the Christchurch winds to ensure the best of seaside living is on offer, without the worst. The pure white plastered exterior strikes a bold contrast against the often-piercing blue sky, and becomes a silhouette for evening sunsets and morning sunrises.
