Idris Road Home is positioned to engage with the beautiful Wairarapa Stream along its North-West boundary in urban Christchurch. The home comprises of three simple geometric forms, sitting on the site like rudimentary building blocks, with the two plaster forms supporting, but only just, the dark cedar weatherboard block above. A fourth element sits within the three external forms. This element ties the external forms together, whilst providing a focal point to the interior.
Project Name: Idris Road Home
Studio Name: South Architects
Project size: 273 m2
Site size: 663 m2
Completion date: 2017
Building levels: 1
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Photography: Stephen Goodenough
While the two plastered geometric forms finely support the cedar weatherboard form, the continuity of the external material through to the underside helps one appreciate the distinct forms throughout the ground floor. Below the cedar form, the fully glazed frontage provides a visual cue to the exciting internal spaces beyond and flows out the other side of the home towards the stream.
The fourth element becomes the heart of the home. Located centrally beneath the first floor, it contains the kitchen the stair. Fitting neatly around the three main forms, this element supports the cantilevered stair, whilst enclosing the kitchen as the focal point of the home. These elements become interwoven, and when in the kitchen space, one can enjoy the simplicity of each form.
Continuing materials and colours through to the interior environment provides the desired strength of form and continues to emphasise the rudimentary nature of the design. The colour and the texture of the cedar provide warmth to the various spaces linking with the timber floor finish. The off-white plaster form continues over the living/dining space and into the library, only broken to expose the underside of the cedar form over the dining table.
