Arts Centre of Christchurch

The Arts Centre of Christchurch comprises a complex of Gothic Revival buildings in the centre of Christchurch.  The oldest buildings date from the 1860s and were designed by notable architects including Benjamin Mountfort, Samuel Hurst Seager, William Armson and Collins and Harman. The buildings were substantially damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes and are in the process of being structurally upgraded and refurnished.  DPA Architects has been appointed as site-wide heritage architects for this $290M project, one of the largest conservation projects in the southern hemisphere. The Great Hall reopened in 2016 after being extensively repaired and restored. Work included the reinstatement of a large stained glass Memorial Window dating from 1938.  The restoration of the Great Hall was recognised as one of the best examples of seismic strengthening on a heritage building at the Canterbury Heritage Awards.  It was the recipient of the Christchurch Heritage Trust Supreme Award for 2016.     Awards Clock Tower Building and Great Hall NZ Architecture Award, 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards 2017, Award of Merit The Great Hall Canterbury Heritage Awards, 2016 Best Seismic Strengthening on a Heritage Building Christchurch Heritage Trust Supreme Award