Home
  • Architecture + Renovation
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Tours
    • Landscape Design
    • Preservation Corner
    • Retro Road Trip
  • Interior Design
    • Collecting
    • Designers + Craftsmen
    • Rooms + Essentials
    • Style Ideas
  • Cool Stuff
    • Art + Gifts
    • Entertaining
    • Everyday Life
    • Furniture + Décor
    • Seasonal
  • Real Estate
  • Retro Holiday




Home
Subscribe
Home
  • Architecture + Renovation
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Tours
    • Landscape Design
    • Preservation Corner
    • Retro Road Trip
  • Interior Design
    • Collecting
    • Designers + Craftsmen
    • Rooms + Essentials
    • Style Ideas
  • Cool Stuff
    • Art + Gifts
    • Entertaining
    • Everyday Life
    • Furniture + Décor
    • Seasonal
  • Real Estate
  • Retro Holiday
MCM home in Christchurch NZ
  • Architecture + Renovation

Mid Century Modern in Christchurch, New Zealand

  • March 4, 2021
  • Jolene Nolte
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Mid Century Modern was an international movement. So what did MCM look like in other parts of the world like, say, Christchurch, New Zealand? Maybe you haven’t wondered about Mid Century Modern in Christchurch, but now that we’ve posed the question, we think you’ll find this worth a look. Mary Gaudin and Matthew Arnold explore this period of Christchurch’s architectural history in their book I never met a straight line I didn’t like.

MCM home in Christchurch NZ
Designed in 1967 for artist Olivia Spencer Bower, the home was originally one story, including room for a studio.

Mid Century Modern, Christchurch Style

In their introduction, Mary Gaudin and Matthew Arnold write, “In the 1960s a small conservative city at the bottom of the world exploded with a creative force that developed into a recognisable and distinct style”—Christchurch Style. Sadly, many of these buildings were destroyed in earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. In their book, Mary Gaudin and Matthew Arnold capture and celebrate some of the remaining instances of the style designed by 12 different architects.

B Jones House, 1968

Jones House interior in Christchurch
The 1968 Jones house in Christchurch was designed by architect Ian Athfield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to author Matthew Arnold, architect Ian Athfield was trained in but not afraid to depart from the Christchurch school of design. The home he designed for himself, for instance, “resembled a post-modern Grecian village,” Arnold writes, “an assemblage of white plastered angles in motion, pitching and rolling down a hill. It was, and still is, completely bewildering to most.”

B Jones House Christchurch Style
This 1968 Christchurch house was designed for Bruce Jones by architect Ian Athfield.

When Athfield was commissioned by Bruce Jones, his former rowing coach, to design the Jones house, however, he returned to his Christchurch roots. Still, Arnold observes, “Athfield injects his whimsy with  asymmetrical, shaved rooflines, circular pipe vents and varied internal spaces which gives the home an overall more playful tune.”

The 1964 J Messervy House

J Messervy House Christchurch
Ample sunshine pours through the windows in the 1964 Messervy house designed by architect Allan Mitchener.

Designed by architect Allan Mitchener, the two-story Messervy house enjoys the indoor-outdoor connection characteristic of Mid Century Modern with ample sunlight with glass on three sides, sliding doors that open onto a courtyard, and a double-height living room. Author Matthew Arnold writes of this 1964 house, “The house uses the familiar materials of the Christchurch School—white painted concrete block, fair face concrete and timber detailing—yet it has its own, distinct personality and ideas.”

 

Christchurch Mid Century Modern architecture book
I never met a straight line I didn’t like by Mary Gaudin & Matthew Arnold. Available at straightlinebook.nz.

To see more instances of Mid Century Modern architecture in Christchurch, purchase your copy of I never met a straight line I didn’t like here.

If you’re fleshing out your dream itinerary to New Zealand, don’t miss our article Camp In A Retro Trailer—In New Zealand.

And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Mid Century Modern inspiration!

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Jolene Nolte

Related Topics
  • Christchurch architecture
  • I never met a straight line I didn't like
  • Mid Century Modern New Zealand
Next Article
Mid Century Modern Constellation
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Designers + Craftsmen

Mid Century Modern living in lively Austin, Texas

  • March 21, 2021
  • Dana
View Post
Previous Article
  • Guest Writers

Memphis Milano, Postmodernism, and its Resurging Demand

  • March 7, 2021
  • Malena Brush
View Post
You May Also Like
Mid Century Modern Constellation
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Designers + Craftsmen

Mid Century Modern living in lively Austin, Texas

  • Dana
  • March 21, 2021
Fullerton Forever bathroom
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • House Tours

A Fullerton Forever Kitchen + Bathroom Renovation

  • Jolene Nolte
  • March 14, 2021
Calabasas home inspiration for Project House
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation

AR Project House Inspiration: A Star Home in Calabasas

  • Jolene Nolte
  • March 13, 2021
The Shoreland Apartments West Vancouver
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Preservation Corner
  • Retro Road Trip

Miami Modernism in West Vancouver

  • Hritik Godara
  • March 12, 2021
Eichler siding playhouse
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Curb Appeal

MCM Siding 101 with Eichler Siding

  • Jolene Nolte
  • March 8, 2021
Mid Century Sofa
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Guest Writers
  • Interior Design
  • Midcentury Lifestyle
  • Renovate + Refresh
  • Rooms + Essentials
  • Style Ideas

SacMod Makeover, Part 5:  A Place to Sit Down—a Mid Century Sofa Arrives

  • Patricia Kline
  • February 28, 2021
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Designers + Craftsmen

Adjaye Associates’ Exemplary Design of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Dana
  • February 25, 2021
The Robey Chicago lobby
View Post
  • Architecture + Renovation
  • Retro Road Trip

Mid Century Modern Hotels from Chicago, Portland and More

  • Jolene Nolte
  • February 21, 2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


CAPTCHA Image
Reload Image
  • Russel Wright Designed American Modern Dinnerware

    Mod Products for Kitchen and Dining That Will Make Life Easier

    View Post
FOLLOW US


Subscribe Atomic Ranch
Newsletter
TRENDING POSTS
  • MCM-Inspired Decor from Black-owned Businesses 1
    MCM-Inspired Decor from Black-owned Businesses
    • February 26, 2021
  • Russel Wright Designed American Modern Dinnerware 2
    Mod Products for Kitchen and Dining That Will Make Life Easier
    • December 29, 2020
  • bullet planter portland split level 3
    Bullet Planter Basics + A Few Of Our Favorites
    • November 5, 2020
  • mid century modern storage 4
    Your Guide To Staying (Stylishly) Organized
    • October 9, 2020
  • smoke colored drinking glass set 5
    Get a Head Start on Fall With These Modern Tableware Finds
    • August 28, 2020
Home
  • Subscribe
  • Back Issues
  • Customer care
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Terms of use
  • Write for Us
  • Modernist Beats
  • Do Not Share My Personal Info
  • Blog
  • Newsletter

Input your search keywords and press Enter.