A modern, functional fit-out for a new community-focused church building

A stone’s throw from the glittering water of McGregor Bay, Elim Church Coromandel is a new-build project designed with the community in mind. 

The Elim Church in Coromandel, New Zealand, stands as a testament to modern design and functionality, tailored to meet the diverse needs of its community. This new-build project features a thoughtfully designed auditorium, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, and versatile spaces, including childcare and meeting rooms, to support a wide range of activities and services. 

Mindful about spending their money wisely, the church trustees opted for a functional design rather than splashing out on ornate features common in traditional church buildings. The result is a practical, modern space large enough to host big community gatherings like funerals, worship services, and conferences. Construction was managed by local builders Hervé and Fabien Salles, with support from a team of trusty local subcontractors.

The Climate Surfaces solution

Specified for its durability, appearance, and affordability, Climate Surfaces' Climateline plasterboards were used throughout the project. 

“Climateline had already proven its exceptional durability in high-traffic commercial spaces, as demonstrated in Elim Church's Pukekohe project in 2018. Its powder-coated surface has shown outstanding resistance to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for a bustling space like this modern church,” says Mike Going of Climate Surfaces.

“It can be difficult to create a flawless, uniform look across large surfaces when working with paint and plaster, which is why Climateline was ideal for the auditorium’s expansive walls.” 

Climate Surfaces supplied a range of board lengths, from 2.4m to 3m, to meet the diverse design and functional needs of the interior space. Applications included stairwell walls, hallway ceilings, kitchens, and bathrooms, with a combination of standard and wet area grade plasterboards to suit the use of the room.  

“We actually developed a custom colour, Elim Grey, for the project. This light grey provides a neutral backdrop that complements the function and use of various spaces, including child care rooms, an auditorium, and a commercial kitchen. Matching powder-coated folded steel brackets and finishing elements were also provided to create a consistent finish across all of the interior finishing details.”

Alongside the custom Elim Grey, boards in the colour Arctic Frost were also used — both complemented by matching two-piece aluminium profiles for skirting, internal and external corners, and board jointers.

A supportive team gets the job done

This project was the first time the builders had used Climateline, so Mike and the Climate Surfaces team ensured on-site training was completed before installation began. With technical assistance from key suppliers, Winstone Wallboards, the team also provided advice on fire ratings.  

“To achieve the required fire ratings, Climateline was applied as a decorative overlay on approved fire-rated wall systems. This innovative approach eliminated the need for stopping or painting, as Climateline seamlessly covers board joins—even on fire-rated walls—streamlining installation while ensuring compliance and aesthetic appeal,” Mike explains.

“All the walls in this project were finished with Climateline, so seeing it come together relatively smoothly, on budget, and within the desired time frame was a success! Working with Hervé Salles and his team showed us that good communication and a can-do attitude towards new and different products are key to success. We’re really happy with the result.”

Learn more about Climate Surfaces.