The idea of the ?Urban Cottage? stems from a shared fascination between the Architect and Client with early colonial workers cottages, and an appreciation for the charm and scale they offer to the existing urban context of Central Christchurch.  Traditionally these buildings were small in scale but rich in volume, constructed using basic materials that were readily available at the time.  The design process would evolve this idea to create a small contemporary stand-alone-house to accommodate a young professional family that, unlike it?s historic predecessor, would orientate toward northern sun and open to external connections - a house that would speak of its colonial reference while adapting to its Pacific environment.  On top of this it would need to be strong (due to high seismic activity in the Canterbury area), clean lined and cost effective to construct.
© Stephen Goodenough

Architects: CoLab Architecture

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Architects In Charge: Tobin Smith, Blair Paterson

Area: 80.0 m2

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Stephen Goodenough

Other Participants: Hayley Smith, Studio Casa Ltd

© Stephen Goodenough

From the architect. The idea of the ?Urban Cottage? stems from a shared fascination between the Architect and Client with early colonial workers cottages, and an appreciation for the charm and scale they offer to the existing urban context of Centra...