Residential project

West Melton House

Client:
Private
Location:
Christchurch New Zealand
Delivered:
2014

Located in Gainsborough, West Melton, this contemporary residence explores modern rural living through a series of connected pavilions arranged across a 3,465m² site. The composition balances openness and intimacy, creating a family home that celebrates light, landscape, and connection.

The design is structured around an atrium-style gallery that forms the heart of the home, a transparent threshold linking the primary living spaces with the private sleeping wing. The main pavilion accommodates open-plan living beneath a cathedral ceiling, where expansive glazing frames garden views and polished concrete floors ground the interior palette. A restrained selection of natural materials reinforces a timeless aesthetic, while multiple outdoor living areas extend the home’s usability and create a seamless flow between inside and out.

The bedroom pavilion provides a quiet retreat with three double bedrooms, including a master suite oriented to a private garden. A separate ancillary pavilion contains a large garage and a fully self-contained studio, offering flexibility for extended family or guests. Generous lawns, play areas, and productive gardens further embed the home within its landscape. The result is a refined interpretation of pavilion-style living — contemporary in expression, yet grounded in its rural setting.