Northbelt

A Christchurch home balancing northern sun with a private streamside outlook

AO Architecture designed Northbelt, a new two-level home near Christchurch, around two very different sides of its site. The northern edge faces the street, where sunlight is valuable but privacy matters. Behind the house, a generous garden and stream provide the better outlook. The design responds differently to each: controlled high-level glazing to the street and large openings towards the landscape.

Taking the sun, not the street view

A continuous band of high-level windows runs along the northern façade above the cedar cladding. Daylight enters over eye level, so rooms benefit from the sun without opening directly onto the street.

There is a clear trade-off in that decision. The house gives up conventional outward views on its northern edge in exchange for privacy, while still taking advantage of the orientation.

Concrete block and cedar reinforce the more protected character of this side of the house.

Opening in the other direction

At the rear, the strategy changes completely. Large sliding doors open the main living spaces onto the deck and lawn, with the stream and established greenery beyond. From the kitchen and dining area, you look through the living spaces towards several different parts of the garden rather than back towards the street.

You can step straight outside from the living areas, and the glazing wraps around the corners of the ground floor so the rear section remains visible from deep within the open-plan space.

Upstairs, a second lounge opens onto an elevated deck overlooking the garden and treetops, extending that relationship with the rear of the site to the upper level.