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Sitting in an established part of Christchurch, these compact and easy care ‘forever’ homes were designed for couples at similar stages of life. Understated materials and detailing create a presence of quality and refinement, while the largely neutral palette allows each homeowner’s individuality and style to easily be layered in to personalise the feel of the buildings now, and make it easy to update in the future.

What could be an imposing brick wall offering only privacy and security has internally been paired with glass to share light between the entry and living spaces. This not only creates a light-filled entrance way for occupants and visitors, but emphasises the key feature of both the interior and exterior. This emphasis helps draw people from the street and into the heart of the home.

The reduction of doors and minimalist detailing creates the feeling of a much larger space than it is. The location of the utility areas behind what appears to be another kitchen cupboard, inbuilt joinery in the living areas, upstairs hallway and bedrooms, steel framed surface sliders and recessed lighting and handrails all help with the feel of quality while being incorporated into largely typical construction to remain on budget.

Careful detailing for thermal performance was incorporated, including the use of thicker walls and insulation, studsavers and other performance detailing to reduce any thermal bridging; as well as upgraded insulation and careful placement of windows to allow passive solar gain while limiting overheating.

Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road
Garden Road

About the
Professional

Formerly Coll Architecture, Fabric is an award-winning Christchurch practice of architects and designers. We specialise in shaping bold, beautiful and highly functional spaces that are perfect for their surroundings and for the people who call them home.

We know that your space is part of the fabric of your existence, and creating it is personal. So we also specialise in shaping a great experience.

We get to know you, you get to know us. We learn your needs, wants, lifestyle and the lie of the land. You enjoy the benefit of our two decades of knowhow as we smooth away the sharp edges of process. Led by registered architect Mitchell Coll, our tight-knit team thinks big, works the detail and explores the what-ifs, and together we make good things happen.

Some of our spaces feature low energy, environmentally-conscious design and prefabricated construction. Others demonstrate the extent of our capability with the most technically challenging sites. All of them include thoughtful spatial planning around exciting form, efficiencies and flow, and creativity that ties architecture, interior and landscape together with inspiration.

Your space will feel right, connect you to your environment, and look as though it’s always been there.

We’re humbled that our work has been recognised within the industry, including in the ADNZ National Supreme and People’s Choice Awards, and the NZIA Local Multi-unit and Small Project Awards.

For your dream space, let’s talk.