OXFORD TERRACE HOUSE
The Oxford Terrace house is located in the heart of Christchurch, along the Avon River and overlooking the Oi Manawa National Earthquake Memorial. The site is on the southern side of the river, with perimeter walls on the east and west boundaries. The home is a converted two-storey plus basement, concrete block, office building, originally built in 1979 and designed by Trengrove and Blunt. Dalman Architects took on the redesign and repurposing of the building.
The existing walls are boundary to boundary to the east and west, so much consideration was made around windows and natural light for each space. The existing roof structure was very low on either side, so a decision had to be made early on as to whether retaining the existing was feasible or if a new roof and structure was a better approach. The decision was to proceed with a new roof and structure. Running of services, including plumbing, drainage, heating and extraction, and insulation, required careful consideration internally to avoid packing out the walls any more than necessary as the building was only just over five metres wide.
Interior designer Kirsty Lawrence worked with the clients on the interiors. They wished to create a contemporary, minimalist home (Helen is an artist and Barry restores and maintains cars and bikes), complementing the existing architecture, with living on the top level and an office, art studio, and workshop on the lower. An extension to the rear provides a garage, creating a garden terrace above, off the master bedroom.
The home is open plan, maximising the natural light provided through many skylights in the new roof. With Helen being an artist, making the best use of the length of the building was imperative in creating beautiful spaces for art pieces to be displayed. A ‘light shaft’ was designed between the floors to ensure the art studio was well lit and ventilated, connecting the two levels.
Internally, to create the contemporary, light-filled home the clients were after, a white and light timber palette was established early on to provide a relaxing and neutral backdrop for artworks.
Once agreeing on a new roof, it was decided that the new steel structure would remain exposed throughout the many of the design decisions with all detail elements expressed in black.
The existing concrete block, newly painted, retains the original architecture from the outside. Kingspan Kooltherm allowed the existing block walls to be well insulated continuously.
Kingspan Technical Services Manager, Killian Smith said they used Kooltherm K17 for high thermal performance and vapour control, keeping the construction footprint to a minimum. “We worked with the design team to ensure the solution offered met the compliance criteria to H1 and E3. E3 was particularly important because the mixed construction types including the lower level walls which were mostly masonry.”
The external appearance was important to Helen and Barry, given the location. “This immediate area is quite unique for the survival of mid-century architecture, including Miles Warren’s across the river and John Trengrove’s two (ours and next door). We are thrilled to have found our unique building in such good company and with enough space to live and work.”
A key aesthetic consideration throughout the home was window joinery. Reeded glass provides privacy and interest whilst tinted glass assists with heat and UV from the skylights. Narrow frames provide a minimalist approach.
The house has several honours, including winning the Here magazine NZ Apartment/Townhouse Award and the Housing – Alterations and Additions Award at the NZ Institute of Architects National Awards. It was also a Best House Aotearoa finalist.