A New Life – Oxford Terrace Apartment by Dalman Architects

Opening a dialogue on adaptative re-use, Oxford Terrace Apartment sees a previous commercial space be transformed into a warm and enveloping inner-city residence. Dalman Architects utilises an existing outer shell to re-sculpt the interior with a familiar intimacy whilst retaining references to its past.

Located in Christchurch, Oxford Terrace Apartment is a repurposed project, transitioning from an industrious space into an intimate retreat to recharge. Minor adjustments to the existing architecture see the home shift from the commercial to the residential. Integral to the brief was a connection to the streetscape and nearby waterfront, seeing the structure embrace its location as well as its role in the surrounds. Dalman Architects draws focus to the apartment’s place and history through a layered approach, crafting a revitalised space with nods to the familiar.

Integral to the brief was a connection to the streetscape and nearby waterfront, seeing the structure embrace its location as well as its role in the surrounds.

Spread over multiple levels, the home is overlaid with a zoned approach, separating the public and private spaces. The height of the original pitched roof ensures an increased sense of proportion and scale, marking a departure from a more traditional residence. Flooding the space with sunlight, skylights were added to ensure the deepest parts of the home could be naturally illuminated throughout the day.

The personal expression of the home’s owners is shown through the layering of elements and unique scale of spaces. Whilst the original exterior walls remain, inner divisions allow for an atmosphere of intimacy, seeing textural elements, artwork and collected treasures bring a richness to the interior and create a gallery-type ambiance. The contrast between the muted warm timber, white paint and black metalwork helps in crafting a home of nuanced balance.

Flooding the space with sunlight, skylights were added to ensure the deepest parts of the home could be naturally illuminated throughout the day.

Optimising its waterfront location, Oxford Terrace Apartment extends the previous narrative of the space. Dalman Architects designs a natural evolution from the commercial to the residential, honouring the history and location of the home to produce a nuanced and unique result.