Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects

O’Neill House

O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn

O’NEILL HOUSE

Herriot Melhuish O'Neill Architects

 YEAR
2018

AREA
248.2 m2

CITY
Christchurch

COUNTRY
New Zealand

PHOTOGRAPHS
Russell Kleyn

CATEGORY
Houses

LEAD ARCHITECT
Duval O’Neill

MANUFACTURERS
Pacific Build Supply NZ

Text description provided by architect.

On a hill site, looking to the ocean and the Southern Alps in New Zealand’s South Island, once stood HMOA Director Duval O’Neill and wife Bridget's home, designed in the 1950s by architect Don Cowey.

O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn
O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn

Following damage from the Christchurch earthquakes, this modest house was demolished and in its place, and to a similar layout, is a brand new three-bedroom home.

At the heart of the design was the desire to keep the essence of Cowey’s house, while adapting it for contemporary living.

O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn
O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn

Adding just 36 meters to the 148 sq meter plan original floor plan, the biggest shift in planning was to develop the basement into a master bedroom and ensuite with a second living area, and to connect the upper level of the house with the garden via a new timber bridge.

The upstairs entry level has two bedrooms, a bathroom, and open plan living.

The material palette remains the same as Cowey originally detailed it—simple, natural, with lots of wood. The original double-skin cladding has also been maintained, articulating each elevation in dark Western Red Cedar or Siberian Larch.

O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn
O’Neill House
© Russell Kleyn

Along with experimental warm roof construction, the new house is super-insulated for the Canterbury climate.


O’Neill House
East and North Elevations
O’Neill House
West and South Elevations


O’Neill House
Ground Floor Plan
O’Neill House
Upper Floor Plan

Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects
T +64 4 3850038
Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects
Level 1/276 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand