Murdoch
Residence
Murdoch Residence is a single storey house in Christchurch’s northern corridor, composed as a series of intimate retreats and outward-looking living spaces.
The project extends and reorients the existing home, organising five bedrooms around a central courtyard that binds the interior to the wider landscape. Clear, deliberate view shafts guide circulation, offering a gentle transition from the social heart of the house to quieter private zones.
A restrained palette of materials shapes a cohesive interior atmosphere. Stone flooring grounds the main living spaces, while on the exterior, textured timber decking introduces a subtle rustic character that sits comfortably within the surrounding environment. Brick veneer and vertical timber cladding define the courtyard edges, adding visual interest to the façade.
Measured shifts in ceiling height define a rhythm between intimate retreats and expansive, light-filled living areas. The gable roofline, fitted with solar panels, maintains a clean silhouette while harnessing natural energy. Large sliders connect living, dining, and kitchen spaces directly with the courtyard, where a pool sits centrally, drawing sunlight deep into the plan.
Set apart on the city’s edge, Murdoch Residence draws the home and its living spaces into the quiet openness of its remote surroundings.
