Face of change

Introducing fresh architectural elements to a 1950s building requires careful consideration. One approach is to let the new additions stand out from the original fae§ade celebrating, rather than minimising, their differences.

This was the approach architect Richard Dalman took when introducing a restaurant and bar into the 1950s Poplars apartment building beside the Avon River in Christchurch. The owner, Antony T Gough, wanted a facility that would cater to apartment guests and attract clientele into the restaurant.

The second part of the brief was to create six comfortable new apartments and a modern reception area.

"The Oasis Restaurant and Bar has been conceived as a distinct architectural piece," says Dalman. "With its bold glass fae§ade, the venue acts as its own advertisement, catching the eye of passers-by."

Designed as an urban oasis, the restaurant cantilevers over the footpath towards the river. Sliding doors along the north and west fae§ades allow the space to open out to the river.

The water's light-reflective qualities are echoed in the restaurant's interior. Polished white tiles, glass tabletops, suspended white ceiling canopies, and a back-lit bar front give the venue a vibrant decor and bring a sense of the adjacent river inside.

A European beech veneer, used in elements of the bar area, also features on the reception counter surfaces in the lobby. As well as welcoming guests and Oasis patrons, the new lobby acts as a transition space between the colourful, bustling restaurant and the new ground floor apartments. The lobby's chocolate hues and carpeted floors also harmonise with the soft-toned apartment interiors.

Six new apartments were completed by the architect three on the ground floor and two on the first floor. These are designed to be leased out for long or short-term stays. The sixth apartment is a manager's flat spanning three levels.

The construction space for the ground floor apartments had a generous 4.5m ceiling height. This became central in the design process, as it allowed for the creation of mezzanine bedroom floors and a resulting sense of spaciousness. The generous use of space is particularly evident in the largest apartment, the Presidential Suite, which is featured on these pages.

"This apartment utilises its height to dramatic effect with full-height glazing along the northern fae§ade, complete with two sets of bifolding doors and full-height drapes," he says. "With both the living area doors and those along the balcony folded open, occupants have a panoramic view to the poplar-lined river.

Dalman Architecture was also responsible for the interior design of the new apartments. The intention was that the apartments should be contemporary, comfortable and restful places.

"This led to the choice of all-wool fabrics and a colour scheme that defines the space in a gentle way," says the architect. "The bold splashes of colour were reserved for the Oasis Bar and Restaurant."

Solid materials and the use of minimalist detailing help to ensure up-market and enduring interiors. For example, polished black granite was used for the kitchen benchtops and cantilevered bathroom vanity surfaces. Touches such as satin chrome stainless steel and toughened glass highlight the stair handrails and balustrades.

"The transparent balustrades add to the feeling of space," says Dalman. "They also facilitate uninterrupted views from the mezzanine level out across the living space to the river beyond."

Story by: Trendsideas