Comfort and light in daily routines were emphasized in the planning of Sumner House in Christchurch. The house is situated on a flood plain and therefore needed to be raised above the ground. The connection with the street front allows interaction with neighbours and passersby while still maintaining a sense of security. The external materials were chosen for their low-maintenance and durability in the coastal environment, which weathers materials quickly. These materials include prefabricated Swisspearl panels in a silvery grey colour, a thermally modified timber rainscreen, cedar weatherboards, and pre-finished steel roof cladding. Since the Swisspearl panels are prefabricated and the timber floor cassettes and wall and roof panels were built off-site in the builder’s warehouse, the total construction time was minimized to a mere six months.