Khandallah House featured on the cover of Home Style Magazine

JUNE 2025

One of our homes, Khandallah House was featured on the front cover of Homestyle Magazine, highlighting a project that transformed a challenging hillside site in Khandallah, Wellington into a contemporary family home with sweeping harbour views.

What began as a renovation soon evolved into a complete reinvention. The original cold and leaky bungalow no longer met the needs of the clients, prompting a bold decision to start again and create a home that would be warm, resilient and better aligned with modern living.

The steep hillside site presented significant technical challenges. Extensive earthworks and complex access conditions were carefully managed to carve out a stable building platform, allowing the home to anchor confidently into the landscape while opening up to expansive views across Wellington Harbour.

The result is a contemporary four-bedroom residence designed to sit comfortably within its environment. The architecture embraces the dramatic topography of the site while maximising natural light, outlook and connection to the surrounding landscape.

Externally, the home is clad in Lunawood timber paired with non-corrosive aluminium — a considered material palette chosen to withstand Wellington’s coastal climate while maintaining a refined, low-maintenance finish. The combination of natural textures and durable materials gives the house a sense of grounded sophistication while ensuring long-term resilience.

The design prioritises warmth, light and everyday liveability. Generous glazing frames harbour views while drawing sunlight deep into the interior spaces, creating a calm and welcoming environment throughout the home.

Chris Stevens, Head Design Lead at Holmes Architecture, says the project was ultimately about responding to both the site and the lifestyle of the clients.

“The site is dramatic, with incredible views across the harbour, so the design was about anchoring the home into the hillside while opening it up to those vistas. The materials are deliberately robust and low maintenance, but still warm and tactile. It’s a home designed to feel grounded in its setting while providing comfort and longevity for the family.”

The project reflects the strength of collaboration across the design and construction team. Holmes Architecture led the architectural design, working alongside Helson Construction for construction, House Party Interiors for interior design, planning consultants Develop Meant Ltd, structural engineers King & Dawson, geotechnical engineers Torlesse Consulting, and window specialists Sky Windows.

Featured on the cover of Homestyle Magazine, Khandallah House stands as an example of how thoughtful architecture can transform a difficult site into a home that is both resilient and deeply connected to its landscape.