Carlton Butchery banner

2012, Central City Christchurch  

This project sits on the site formerly occupied by the Carlton Butchery, a listed heritage building critically damaged in earthquakes. The brief called for a mixed-use development with hospitality to the ground floor, office on the 1st floor and an apartment to the 2nd and third floors. The new design embraces the character of the demolished building, sitting comfortably within the existing heritage fabric.

The post-earthquake design is much the same as the original scheme in plan. The Victoria St elevation uses contemporary techniques and materials to trace elements of the original facade. Screens with perforations at various diameters describe the detailing in the original plastered facade.

The apartment is skinned with a polycarbonate cladding which, during the day reflects the surrounding elements, while at night it illuminates giving the box an ephemeral glow.  

+MAP Architects
Canterbury

About the
Professional

We create modern architecture that seeks to excite, lift the spirits, and create a sense of place. +MAP is a design-led studio, formed in Christchurch in 2001. The practice is a partnership between Huia Reriti and Simon Elvidge, and operates with an average of 15 to 20 staff.

We enjoy the continuity of involvement from Kerry Mason, founding partner of +MAP. We work on a broad range of projects across varied typologies, scale, and diverse locations.

The Team

Huia and Simon are supported by a core team of architectural talent consisting of Registered Architects, Graduate Architects and Architectural Technicians. The practice has grown year on year and enjoys a diverse portfolio of work; currently with 17 design staff allowing the necessary resources to continue to perform and engage with new projects.

Philosophy

We strive for creative, innovative, appropriate Architecture. We believe buildings have the ability to evoke imagery beyond the functional requirements and speak of the people, place and time that they engage with. A juxtaposition of intuitive and analytical design approaches informs a response that is regionally focused, contextual and functional.

Sustainability

We seek for each project to become a positive legacy for the owner, and for current and future generations. Sustainability and energy efficiency are core values of +MAP Architects. We take an integrated design approach, with a high level of collaboration between the client and consultant team, to ensure each project is sympathetic to environmental and programmatic requirements. The future flexibility and adaptability of each project is carefully considered.

Innovation

We approach each project as an individual challenge, with unique opportunities and constraints. A high level of collaboration with the client and consultant team informs an innovative and unique response. We consider these issues to be more important than working in a particular style and hope that each project will be an original interpretation of the client, site, brief and budget.

Collectively the Principals bring an impressive blend of design focus and detail experience to each project regardless of size and stature.