Queens of the stone age

by Metropol | September 2, 2026 8:34 am

One of the noticeable trends in recent award-winning Canterbury homes is the beautiful use of stonework.

From solid stone walls giving strength to the heart of a home to extending exterior schist into indoor living spaces or turning a river-worn boulder into an interior feature, contemporary use of stonework in architecture is shaping the look and feel of Kiwi homes, providing a sense of connection to place and the natural world.

Loved by designers and homeowners alike for its natural beauty and high performance, contemporary stonework in architecture focuses on regional identity, textural contrast, and sustainable local sourcing. Popular regional offerings include Otago schist for a rugged look that blends with mountain landscapes, Timaru bluestone for sleek paving and cladding,
South Island schist for cladding, and Ōamaru stone.

Frankie’s House
The first floor breezeway of this central Christchurch home designed by architects Tobin Smith and Jonathan Coote of Warren and Mahoney. Photographed by Ian Hutchinson.

Fendalton
Crafted by H+M Builders and designed by architect Phil Redmond of PRau. Below: Door detail of timber and stone. Bottom: Master bedroom access to the garden. Photographed by Simon Devitt.

Loburn Pavilions
This North Canterbury off-grid home designed by Three Sixty Architecture is crafted from clay brick and cedar. Photographed by Sarah Rowlands.

Linkway house
Located in Ohoka, this award-winning home was designed by Casey Curtis of CA Architecture – North Canterbury. Photographed by Stephen Goodenough.

Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/queens-of-the-stone-age/

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