70-72 Gloucester Street

Client: Amhurst Properties Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Status: Completed 2014 Area: 5100sqm Contractor: Ganellen Photography: Stephen Goodenough

Our proposal for 70–72 Gloucester Street was designed to suit not only its current stand-alone setting, but also to relate with its surrounding context in the long-term, forming a key part of the area’s developing urban programme.

The east façade emphasises and promotes the scheme’s solidity, simultaneously preparing for future development of the adjacent site. The result is a commercial design more akin to a civic structure; this attitude intends to compliment the adjacent Coca building and nearby Christchurch Art Gallery.

The square plot has been fragmented through the creation of a rational, yet playful series of building blocks above a First Floor level hovering plinth. These forms conceal an efficient commercial floor layout, perfectly suited to current market requirements.

Working around the latest building and structural codes, the design sets a precedent for clean and pragmatic architectural design, which can successfully achieve a clear sense of identity, pride and individuality.