A roofscape central to the design

Set at the foot of Christchurch’s Port Hills, Kennedys Bush House was designed as a welcoming home that would embrace its elevated position and capture sweeping views across the Canterbury Plains.

Built by Coughlan Homes, the 411sqm residence reinterprets traditional architecture through a contemporary lens. Approached from above, its roof takes centre stage long before the front door comes into view. This prominence made the CUSTOM ORB roofing profile, colour and finishing details central to the architectural response.

“Due to the site conditions, the roof is a very visible component,” says Patrick, Director of Coughlan Homes. “We needed a product and colour that complemented the design.”

Steel & Tube’s CUSTOM ORB profile in 0.40 BMT COLORSTEEL Sandstone Grey was selected for the pitched roof areas, with its timeless corrugated profile complementing the home's classic character while the muted grey tone settles naturally into the landscape.

Bringing two roof forms together 

The same grey tone also tied in with the TPO membrane in Dove Grey used across the flat roofs and around the louvre area. Although designed for different roof forms and pitches, the shared colour palette allows the two systems to sit comfortably alongside one another.

One of the most intricate aspects of the roof was the transition between the pitched and flat roof sections. Achieving a clean junction required carefully formed raking cuts. Following the changing roofline with precision, these angled cuts required exceptional craftsmanship. It's a subtle detail from a distance, but one that contributes significantly to the roof’s seamless appearance.

“We had extensive discussions about how to make these junctions as seamless as possible,” Patrick says.

Located within an Extra High wind zone, the roof also required additional fixings to resist the greater wind forces acting on the building. A wide ridge profile provided a deliberate finishing detail while accentuating the home’s distinctive roofline.

Steel & Tube delivered the CUSTOM ORB roofing, TPO membrane, 185mm Multiline fascia and downpipes, together with the installation of the 150mm half-round spouting. Managing these elements through one team gave Coughlan Homes a consistent point of contact throughout the roofing stage.

Kennedys Bush House went on to achieve National Top 100 status and win its Canterbury category at the 2026 Master Builders House of the Year Awards, alongside Regional Kitchen Excellence and Regional Gold awards.