By Herriot Melhuish O'Neill Architects Ltd
This prominent and very popular 10-storey apartment building was damaged in the Christchurch earthquake.
Our brief was to design a contemporary exterior façade, which fitted in with the local landscape, for this 90s PoMo building originally designed by Christchurch architects, Alun Wilkie Architects. A new roof, new bathrooms and modern entrance way were also added.
Working with façade engineers, a terracotta rainscreen tile system and metal panel cladding were used. This new facade is extremely durable, low maintenance and meets the highest fire-safety standards.
The building is one of the only surviving Christchurch high-rise apartment buildings, a credit to the structural design of Craig Lewis of Lewis Bradford Consulting, formerly of Holmes. Housing 29 apartments, many of the original tenants are now confidently returning home.