Ravenscar House

The Wakefield family owned an architectural grand residence, Ravenscar House, that was open to the public on occasion to exhibit a large art collection. It was intended that once the house was no longer required for residential use, it would be made available to the public as a cultural facility for the display of the art collection and the use of the library. This cultural facility was to be modeled on the concept of a 'house museum'. Sadly, Ravenscar House was irreparably damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. Following the demolition of the original residence, the Trust sought to relocate the art collection to a new grand residence in Christchurch’s cultural precinct. The new, purpose-built, house museum is therefore in some ways a paradox as it incorporates key designs from the original Ravenscar House into the new build, such as four main chambers designed in the same dimensions as the original principal rooms. These rooms are set around a central courtyard with views to the garden which in turn is a reinterpretation of planting from the original home. It is built from pre-cast concrete made from crushed bricks from the original home, as well as rubble from other cherished buildings in the city – material otherwise destined for landfill. Words from https://www.commercialprojectawards.co.nz