Architectural and affordable: Tao Homes
Arriving in Christchurch to study, charmed by its character and amenity, and making the Garden City a permanent home. It is not a particularly unusual story so far, but the chapter that follows is unique, involving the desire to add beauty to the city with affordable design excellence.
Tao Meng is Director of Tao Homes, and the driving force behind the new townhouse development at 14-16 Rutherford Street. “I am inspired by beautiful design,” says Tao, “I never want to build anything that is copy and paste. We design for the area and the site. The result has to look amazing, but I am determined it is also affordable, liveable, and makes its owners happy.”
Tao engaged Buchan Group Architects. This international firm has 130 years of history, including designing our iconic Art Gallery, but this is the first residential project for Christchurch. “I am thrilled to bring residential architectural design on this scale to Woolston,” says Tao, “I was prepared to invest heavily in design, often to the amazement of my peers.”
The 14 townhouses, 11 of which are already snapped up by lucky buyers, utilise top quality materials and are high spec. The stylish front block has five homes, while at the back the nine homes feature a higher stud and a different layout. “I want to make houses to last for 100 years, I want everyone to have a great home, not just an investment.”
The team’s next project is located at 265 Colombo Street. These stunning townhouses are also designed by Buchan Group. “They will be available in September this year, and they are for anyone who loves fabulous design, but has a little less to spend.”
