Harris House
THE QUICK LOWDOWN
Originally owned by Christchurch engineers AR Harrison, Harris House has been reimagined as a flexible multi-office space while maintaining its distinct architectural character. The renovation carefully balanced the preservation of period features with contemporary interventions, ensuring the building’s art deco styling remains a defining element. The result is a workspace that celebrates its architectural heritage while functioning as a modern and adaptable commercial environment.
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Located in central Christchurch, Harris House reflects the elegance and precision of the art deco era, with its geometric façade, structured proportions, and decorative detailing. The renovation process sought to enhance these defining characteristics, ensuring the building retained its original presence while integrating contemporary elements. Large windows, framed by carefully articulated façade treatments, allow natural light to flood the interior, reinforcing a connection between past and present.
DESIGN DRIVERS
The brief required the creation of multiple office spaces of varying sizes while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity. Rather than imposing new forms onto the existing structure, the approach focused on working within the existing framework, ensuring key period details were restored and highlighted. The art deco influences—expressed through geometric motifs, bold colour accents, and decorative reliefs—were carefully retained, reinforcing the building’s identity.
Internally, native timber floors and exposed trusses play a crucial role in maintaining warmth and authenticity. These elements were carefully preserved, providing a textural contrast to the contemporary office spaces. The resulting interplay between historic materials and modern finishes ensures that the building remains rooted in its history while meeting today’s workplace demands.
LIFE INSIDE
The interior spaces are designed for flexibility, accommodating a mix of private offices and open-plan workspaces. The high ceilings and restored period detailing contribute to a sense of volume, while light-filled rooms enhance the overall workspace quality. Contemporary furnishings and refined material selections ensure that while the building retains its historic charm, it remains highly functional for modern business operations. The careful layering of new and existing materials creates an environment that feels both established and refreshed.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
The challenge was balancing restoration with modernization, ensuring that architectural detailing was preserved while enhancing functionality. Retaining timber floors and structural trusses required careful consideration to ensure they complemented the contemporary office fit-out. The integration of modern services, lighting, and workspace infrastructure was managed to be discreet and respectful to the original fabric of the building. The result is a cohesive fusion of old and new, delivering a distinctive, character-filled workplace that respects the building’s past while embracing its future.
