Park Terrace
Merging elegant detailing with raw structural elements, this 288m2 home weaves a balance between light and dark. Located on Park Terrace within walking distance to central Christchurch’s heritage and arts precincts and immediately opposite the western edge of Hagley Park this house delivers a bold, playful home full of hidden corners and stolen views. Designed by Phil Redmond Architecture + Urbanism this two-storey, three-bedroom dark brick home adapts heavy industrial form into a residential townhouse for city fringe living.
The dark exterior, with its heavy cloak of Flemish brick, and matt black aluminium joinery, contradicts the lightness within the interior - skylights deliver regular light, from both sun and moon, while glimpses of greenery and dappled light provide diversity. The front door is located behind an industrial-style, hot-rolled steel barn door that slides effortlessly across the bricks to conceal the main entrance.
Full height bi-fold doors with gridded aluminium joinery open onto a simple paved patio on the ground floor, that looks directly across the road to the willows. Upstairs the large, gridded window in the gable end of the living space repeats the pattern. Capturing views of the Avon River and swaying willows, occupants are drawn into the park views.
A small, sheltered courtyard between the kitchen and master bedroom has full height raking windows on both sides, the repetitive grid pattern in the joinery is another feature here. The master bedroom is the only room to incorporate a skylight on the southern facade, which draws in a softer light and accentuates a sense of calm in this area.
Initial plans detailed APL Architectural Series, during consultations with the client the decision was made to amend this to Altherm Metro Series. This maintained performance and aesthetics while making a significant materials saving.
Matt Black frames matched with Elemental Hardware are a striking combination, ensuring passive ventilation on all sashes. Great care was taken to ensure the revised suite adhered to the architectural detailing with a complex installation sequence including large exterior angles framing the window suite against brick cladding. Millimetre precision was needed to pull this off to the standard this project demanded.
This dark, single gable structure acknowledges Christchurch heritage. The dazzling design and craftsman-like construction have earned this home several accolades in national architecture and design awards.
The Windows and Doors
- Altherm Metro Series
- APL 106mm Architectural Series
- Altherm Thermally Broken Rooflights
- Altherm Plasma Panel
- Matt Black matching Elemental hardware
- Metro Performance Glass Clear Double Glazing
