Straven Road
Townhouses

Straven Road
Townhouses

Located just a short stroll from Christchurch Boys High, Riccarton House and Pūtaringamotu Bush, this site presented a unique opportunity to redevelop a generous, inner suburban property.

The project involved replacing a large, dilapidated two-storey house with two high-end, four-bedroom townhouses.

In collaboration with our developer clients, we developed a versatile layout to cater to a diverse range of buyers, from families with children attending nearby schools to retirees looking to enjoy a suburban lifestyle, including those with reduced mobility thanks to the inclusion of a provisional lift.

The shared accessway is located along the southern boundary, allowing each unit to enjoy private northern and western outdoor living areas. While the floor plans for both units are identical, their positions offer distinguishing features. The rear unit boasts a more private garden, whereas the front unit features a more public interface and a larger west-facing outdoor area.

Internally, the design optimises the use of space by centralizing circulation, permitting generous room sizes throughout. The living areas provide varied experiences, with one large open-plan space featuring a raking ceiling over the seating area and a smaller, more intimate connecting lounge. The internal stairs are located alongside the shared accessway, to create a visual connection with the external environment and offer passive surveillance over the street.

The exterior design and material selection draw inspiration from the surrounding architecture with the gable roof form facing the street and the lower floor clad in brick, while the upper floor uses lightweight, low-maintenance profiled metal cladding.

Client: Private

Location: Christchurch

Status: In progress

Sector: Residential, Townhouses

Kate Aitken, JTB Architects

Kate Aitken

Architectural Graduate

Christchurch