THOMSON
LOCATION: MERIVALE, CHRISTCHURCH
FLOOR AREA: 164 SQUARE METRES (EACH)
"Working with Barry was fun and collaboration was so easy. Barry has designed a beautiful home that’s a pleasure to live in, very functional and aesthetically has encompassed everything I was hoping for. A highly organised person Barry listened and responded quickly to challenges enabling the project to progress so smoothly at every stage. I’m delighted and highly recommend Barry."
Nestled amongst the tree lined street of this classic villa styled area of Merivale, the design brief called for a duo of modern townhouses that embraced the idea of open plan city living. The design needed to be relaxed and informal, yet sophisticated and stylish, a design that was filled with light throughout the year and also provided for generous entertaining on lazy summer nights.
The living areas on the ground floor provide the main day-to-day living spaces, with the living, dining, study and kitchen areas opening out onto the courtyard garden space through the expansive sliding doors.
The main living area also includes a generous window seat that enhances the connection between the indoor and outdoor living spaces, and provides for natural passive ventilation during the summer months. The upper level includes two large double bedrooms and family bathroom, and master suite with en-suite bathroom and walk-in robe.
A soft and subdued palette of light grey vertical profiled tray cladding, white washed Cedar shiplap and crisp white plaster provides a refined and stylish aesthetic whilst retaining a sense of understated styling. The two storeys are linked with a finely crafted American White Oak staircase with timber slat screening providing visual interest and partial separation between the main living and entry spaces.
The design approach for this project was to utilise the full extent of the site, encouraging life to take place within, between and beyond the building. The courtyard and garden areas seamlessly connect with the open plan living space and seek to embrace a causal, relaxed and informal living style throughout the year.
The main living area was positioned to allow for all day sun and oriented to take advantage of natural morning light where possible. Lightly framed pergolas create some filtered shading to both interior and exterior spaces and also help retain a sense of privacy to the adjoining neighbouring sections.
Throughout the design the rooms maintain a compact footprint that is balanced by generous ceiling heights and visual connection to the exterior courtyard space. The informal and relaxed layout was created to be a testament to small living in suburbia; strong and simple forms, a natural, light and clean palette whilst moderating privacy and outlook with the surrounding neighbourhood.
The overall simplicity of the design is a considered response to creating a casual and relaxed style of comfortable inner city living.
Photography: Lightforge Photography