Split Hip is a post-earthquake new build that responds to the character of the traditional bungalows surrounding it. The single-level home borrows elements of the classic design, shrewdly reinterpreting the weatherboard cladding, simple hip roof and traditional street-front porch entry.

To establish its own identity, the design deviates from the bungalow aesthetic with a cantilevered metal shroud replacing the familiar street-facing bay window. The garage, commonly delegated to the backyard, is discreetly integrated up front to optimise outdoor space and internal access.

Inside, the home is softened by natural texture and warm tones, its high ceilings emphasised by oversized glazing. Commissioned by a first-time developer, Split Hip demanded design ambiguity, easy living and open spaces to appeal to the mass market — an effective strategy that saw it garner interest from young families, downsizers and retirees when it hit the market.