Urban Cottage

This project is a modern interpretation of a traditional Christchurch Workers Cottage located on a small 20m long x 10m wide central city site. The design process evolved this familiar topology to create a small stand-alone dwelling that would speak of its colonial reference while adapting to its Pacific environment. The traditional square footprint is split in two and offset end to end, creating a more linear layout to open to sunlight and external connections. Internally the ever-present central entry hall remains, forming a transition space and visual buffer between public living and private sleeping spaces. Steep gabled roofs and high-pitched ceilings are deployed to create a sense of space that seems to exceed its modest 80m2 footprint.