Wai-iti.

Wai-iti is a residential alteration and addition project located in Christchurch, transforming a modest 1950s red brick dwelling into a contemporary home that balances heritage character with modern living. The original house, approximately 100sqm in size, provided a robust foundation for a design that carefully reinterprets the language of the existing brick architecture while introducing new spatial and architectural expression. The project reconfigures the interior plan and lifts the existing roof lines to introduce greater volume and natural light throughout the living spaces. A new attached garage and an additional detached garage and office structure at the rear of the site support the owners' passion for motorsport and their personal vehicle collection. Externally, the design explores the expressive potential of brick through curved forms and crafted detailing. A sculptural brick entrance screen, formed using a lattice bond pattern, creates a filtered threshold between the street and entry while referencing the craftsmanship of traditional masonry.

The Wai-iti project demonstrates how careful architectural intervention can transform a modest mid-century dwelling into a contemporary home while retaining a strong connection to its original character. Rather than replacing the existing building fabric, the design strategy focused on reworking and elevating the architectural language of the 1950s brick home. Internally, roof lines were lifted to introduce generous volumes and improved daylight penetration across the primary living spaces. Brick, the defining material of the original dwelling, became a central design device throughout the project. A curved brick screen at the entrance forms a striking threshold condition, using a lattice bond pattern to create depth, shadow, and visual permeability. At the rear of the house, a cantilevered roof form extends outward to frame the outdoor living areas, providing shelter while creating a strong architectural gesture.

• Located — Christchurch
• Completed — 2025
• Photography — Stephen Goodenough
• Crafted by — Whyte Construction