In 2011, Ōtautahi Christchurch experienced a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which caused widespread damage to the city. Following this, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and local government prepared the 2012 Christchurch Central Recovery Plan to rebuild the city. The Christchurch Convention Centre Precinct is one of 17 “anchor” projects initiated as a part of this plan. The design of the new centre had to meet stringent seismic and sustainability standards.
Client
CPB Contractors
Timeline
Design: 2012 -
Construction: 2017 - 2020
Awards
- 2024 International Architecture Awards, Civic Centre
- 2023 New Zealand Institute of Architects Public Architecture Award
- 2022 Overall Category Winner: Property Council New Zealand Rider Levell Bucknall Property Industry Awards – Civic, Health and Arts Award
Key figures.
43,000individually placed tiles
1,604façade panels
2,000delegates hosted
The challenge.
Imagine.
The centre has a 1,400-delegate auditorium, a 3,600 sqm exhibition hall and 1,600 sqm of meeting rooms. Te Pae means a gathering place’ in Te Reo Māori.
Designed by Woods Bagot, and Warren and Mahoney architects, the architecture draws inspiration from the braided rivers of the Canterbury Plains, the neo-gothic architecture of Ōtautahi Christchurch city and the patterns and colours that are part of the local Ngāi Tahu iwi tradition. Braided rivers are found in only a few places in the world, one of which is the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand’s South Island.
The distinctive façade wraps and flows around the building, made up of 43,000 herringbone, fibre cement tiles which are individually placed on 1604 panels supported by a complex curved steel structure. There are five varied tones of grey and different surface textures in the façade composition.
Create.
The Egis Facades & Sustainability team in New Zealand provided detailed design documentation of the vertical façade, engineering calculations, local certification, site inspections. The team also oversaw seismic testing of the façade with their colleagues in China.
Achieve.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is an international standard venue that showcases the very best of New Zealand. Te Pae has a strong sustainability focus being built to a New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star 5-star rating.
