Christchurch Civic Building wins 2012 Supreme Concrete³ Sustainability Award

Athfield Architects has taken out the 2012 Supreme Concrete³ Sustainability Award for its extensive refurbishment of the new Christchurch Civic Building on Hereford Street.

The award, presented at the annual New Zealand Concrete Industry Conference in Hamilton on Friday evening, recognised the transformation of what was the New Zealand Post Building into an architectural statement that adds tremendous value to Christchurch, says Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) Chief Executive Rob Gaimster.

The judging panel applauded Athfield Architects for the way in which significant changes were made to the existing concrete building, creating spectacular work and interactive spaces without losing the original architectural and industrial heritage.

“This is a truly outstanding example of adaptive re-use, one which demonstrates the flexibility of concrete as a sustainable construction material. It continues the emerging trend in New Zealand of optimising resources and enhancing the built environment through the innovative refurbishment of our existing concrete building stock,” they said.

The design reconfigured the building’s existing service and transportation cores, and added mezzanines to the main office levels. The existing precast concrete cladding panels from the southern facade were removed, reworked and re-used on the northern side to create a completely new extension with double-skin facade, and circulation stair and winter gardens behind.

Despite the significant changes, the design retains and celebrates the building’s original Brutalist style.

The Christchurch Civic Building is the first to receive a 6 Green Star Office Design rating, further testament to the project’s successful outcome. The Athfield Architects team was also presented with the Excellence in Commercial Concrete Construction.

The awards are part of the Concrete³ initiative launched in 2007 by CCANZ and acknowledge projects, products and initiatives which demonstrate excellence in environmental, economic and/or social sustainability for the built environment. For more information about the awards, go to www.sustainableconcrete.org.nz.

The Christchurch Civic Building was also the recipient of several awards at Property Council New Zealand’s annual industry awards earlier this year. For more on these awards, click here.