Description
SAM 2 is located in south Christchurch at the base of the Port Hills, within a pronounced loop of the Heathcote River. It is the second largest SAM in Christchurch, covering a substantial residential area. The majority of houses in SAM 2 are wooden Californian-style bungalows of the 1920s and 1930s, however the ages and styles of the rest of the houses in the area are quite variable.
Common architectural elements of the existing housing include low-pitched gable roofs, with the gable wall often shingled, and bay or bow windows at the front of the house. Various sized leadlight windows, weatherboard cladding, arched porches, and the houses facing the street, are also significant features.
The presence of boundary vegetation, mature trees, well kept gardens and street tree planting adds to the character of the area, and increases its visual appeal. This is further enhanced by the relationship between the houses, built on the river terraces overlooking the Heathcote River, forming a green corridor around the edge of the SAM.
Designing within this character
New buildings in SAM 2 should be designed to work with the existing character, rather than imitate it. When designing new buildings consider the orientation of adjoining buildings, and the distance they are set back from the road boundary. The use of strong but not completely plain forms for the overall building shape, that are similar in scale and height to the existing buildings, will help maintain this character.
Sudden changes in roofline, colour, and building shape can break up the consistency of the streetscape. This disrupts the existing harmony between buildings within the SAM, and the way in which they relate to the street, and the river.
A similar amount of surface texture and ornamentation should be used, but need not necessarily be weatherboards, shingled gable ends or other features from the existing buildings.
Instead attention should be paid to how these add to the character of the area, and how a current method might be used to achieve this same effect. Also consider the way that the existing buildings, and their windows and doors face the street and/ or the river. The use of appropriate vegetation and landscaping can emphasise these elements and increase the visual connection, while still maintaining privacy. Vegetation on the front boundary is a feature of the area and strengthens the consistency of the street scene, particularly in combination with other feature elements of the area such as the rock retaining walls.
Additionally the placement of garages in front yards can be visually detrimental and is best avoided.
City Plan rules
SAM 2 is in a Living 1 zone in the City Plan. The Plan contains a set of rules that regulate the way sites can be developed. A modification has been made to the standard Living 1 rules to acknowledge the character of SAM 2. It is:
- Road setback (street scene) - road setback is the distance that a building must be set back from the front boundary. Buildings are required to be set back at least 6m, except for Fisher Avenue which is 8m, because of the impact that the proximity of buildings to the street has on the overall character of the street.
If you are considering altering a house or building a new house in SAM 2 and you need a Resource Consent, it is recommended that you seek advice from the Urban Design – Strategy and Planning Group at the Christchurch City Council before submitting your application.
Protected trees
| A - No. 26 Riverview Street | Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) |
| | Common Walnut (Juglans regia) |
| | Common Lime (Tilia sp.) |
| | Common Lime (Tilia x europaea) |
| B - No. 239 Eastern Terrace | Lancewood (Pseudopanax crassifolium) |
Date: October 2004
