Major Hornbrook

A Mt Pleasant hillside home organised around shelter, light and outlook

AO Architecture designed Major Hornbrook on an exposed hillside in Mt Pleasant, Christchurch. The main living spaces sit upstairs to reach the panoramic view over the city and coast, while the garden level below offers a more sheltered outdoor condition. Between the two, a light-filled stair void creates a strong vertical connection through the house before the upper floor opens fully to the outlook.

Making the view usable

The kitchen, dining and main living areas occupy the upper floor, where broad glazing opens towards Christchurch and the coast.

That decision comes with a trade-off. Lifting everyday living above the ground increases reliance on the stair and separates the main rooms from the garden, but it gives those spaces the outlook that defines the site.

The balcony extends the living spaces outside. Glass protection reduces the impact of wind without closing off the view, while the deep roof overhang adds further shelter and shade. The space works as part of the living area rather than simply as a viewing platform.

Two ways to be outside

Upstairs, the balcony is elevated and open to the wider view but protected around its edges.

Downstairs, the garden sits closer to the ground and is naturally more sheltered by the house and surrounding site.

That gives the family two distinctly different outdoor settings – one expansive and elevated, the other more protected and connected to the ground.

Moving up through the house

A floating timber stair connects the more sheltered lower level with the main living floor above.

Open treads and glass balustrades keep the stair visually light, while tall narrow windows bring daylight into the void and deeper parts of the plan. The stair marks the transition from the grounded lower level to the open, elevated spaces above.

One long living volume

Upstairs, the kitchen, dining and lounge sit beneath a continuous timber-lined ceiling, allowing the main level to read as one long connected space.

Large areas of glazing are concentrated towards the outlook, while narrower vertical windows are used along the side elevations. Those smaller openings bring light in without exposing every room fully to the street.

Cedar continues from the exterior into the upper living spaces, carrying the same material through the outer envelope and interior. 

Major Hornbrook exterior at sunset with a projecting timber-screened upper level above the landscaped garden.
Major Hornbrook double-height hall with a floating timber staircase, glass balustrade and cylindrical pendant lights.
Major Hornbrook living and dining area beneath a sloping timber ceiling, with narrow vertical windows and timber flooring.
Major Hornbrook open-plan kitchen and living area with a large pale island, timber ceiling and dark fireplace wall.
Major Hornbrook living room arranged around a dark fireplace wall beneath the warm timber ceiling.
Major Hornbrook bedroom sitting area opening through large glazing to a deck overlooking Christchurch and the coast.

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