Corten homes
Designed for young professionals, these adjoined units prioritise energy efficiency, sustainability and durability without making aesthetic compromises. Floor plan and volume efficiencies reduced energy use and costs both during the build and for the occupants living there today, while also offering the opportunity to be modified into a four bedroom home in the future.
Q Given these units are only 74m2 each, how do they have such a feeling of space?
A (Mitchell) These floor plans are small but efficiently laid out to give adequate space for everyday living. Their high skillion ceilings give the feeling of space while the low roof pitch keeps the overall heated volume of the building down. Strategic placement of skylights ensure their low roof pitch does not restrict the use of the upstairs floor area or restrict movement around the building.
We like projects that allow us to consider the exterior, interior and landscaping together so everything from the big picture to small details is cohesive. In this case, special attention was given to minimalist detailing throughout to give the overall feel of a refined singular ‘product’, as opposed to a building which has been pieced together from various parts.
Q Can you explain ‘minimalist detailing’?
A (Mitchell) Minimalist detailing is the reduction of visual clutter to create harmonious scale between materials. This is particularly important on smaller buildings where typical detailing can overwhelm a small form or space. For example, the corten steel was detailed as a rainscreen with no flashings around it so the building does not look awkward or overly complex, ultimately helping the exterior to have a more refined presence than its actual size might otherwise allow. The crisp lines of those glass to corten and corten to steel junctions are major aesthetic features of the building.
(Amy) In the interior there are no skirtings or other large trims and the palette has been kept to a minimum so each room feels large and connected to each other. The dark blue from the outside has been brought in to connect interior and exterior spaces, and the open staircase built from the same materials as the rest of the structure merges into the space to ensure the downstairs living areas feel spacious.
(Mitchell) Back outside, the large storage sheds are detailed to look like fences, and their hidden doors mean they are not noticeable or intrusive to the outdoor living areas or the building as a whole.
Q Christchurch is a rapidly changing city, how have you future proofed this building for change?
A (Mitchell) We designed a foundation system that allows these units to be removed if the site can be better used in the future - in our eyes this ‘extra life’ is the ultimate form of sustainability. Simple modifications can also be made to transform these two units into a single four bedroom, two living room home. With these adaptable attributes, high quality construction and use of durable materials, this building should have a very long life no matter where it is located.
Because it is currently located in Christchurch, the foundation has been designed to be relevellable up to 120mm, by one person, within a few hours and all services are easily accessed so the building can be repaired in an extremely short amount of time.
Q What other sustainable features do these units have?
A (Mitchell) Designed for passive solar gain, the airtight construction gives excellent heat retention. The heat recovery ventilation system provides fresh air for a healthy home with minimal heat loss in the winters. Passive ventilation is achieved through strategic placement of windows and skylights for zero energy summer ventilation. This exceptional passive thermal performance and ventilation ensure that all interior spaces remain healthy for its occupants, while being easy and cost efficient to run.
All materials were selected for their sustainable qualities such as locally grown pine, natural oils and wool insulation. The cross laminated timber (CLT) floors have drawn 20 tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere alone!
Q What was the aesthetic inspiration for this project?
A (Mitchell) We wanted this building to speak about the place that it is located. As lovers of both the outdoors and architecture, we largely took inspiration from Canterbury’s alpine huts and local brutalist and Christchurch Style buildings. Canterbury prickles and ribs, gable to gable form and honest materials all contribute to this aesthetic; in particular the use of corten steel, chosen for its durability and distinct colour change as it ages which fits the theme of the building - that it will wear in, not out over time.
(Amy) Inspiration was also found closer to home in the surrounding 1990s neighbourhood. ‘New Denim Blue’ Colorsteel helps this contemporary building fit into the established area while also pairing well with the range of shades from orange to brown that the corten steel will change to over time.
Awards
NZIA Canterbury Architecture Awards Winner
ADNZ Supreme Winner
ADNZ Residential Multi-unit Dwelling National Winner
ADNZ Residential Interiors National Winner
ADNZ Colin Stanley People's Choice Award
ADNZ Residential Compact New Home up to 150m² joint Regional Winner
Best Awards Residential Silver
NZ Timber Design Awards Residential Architectural Excellence Commended