New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 30/12 | Page 56

Project
Strange’s and Glendenning Hill
buildings

Location:
Christchurch

Architect:
Sheppard and Rout Architects

BEFORE AND AFTER
Sharp-edged glass and steel meets solid brick and stone – a contemporary commercial building
abuts a traditional structure, creating a synergy that works on several levels

As the first permanent buildings to be
completed in the former Christchurch CBD Red
Zone, the Strange’s and Glendenning Hill buildings
have caught the eye of designers, developers and
locals alike.
Architect Jasper van der Lingen of Sheppard
and Rout Architects says this is not surprising, as
everyone has been waiting with interest to see what
forms new CBD buildings will take in the postearthquake reconstruction.
“We were the first cab off the rank, so to speak,
so we spent considerable time discussing this
very issue with the owner, KPI Rothschild Property
Group,” van der Lingen says. “The city was still
experiencing large aftershocks, but the owner was
adamant the damaged heritage building should be
replaced as soon as possible. We had considerable debate and discussion about the design, and
it became clear that the buildings needed to look
strong. Being able to see the structure of a building
is a visual reassurance that it will withstand future
earthquakes.”

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Van der Lingen says the same owner had only
recently strengthened the historic 1882 Bonnington
brick and stone building that adjoined the original
Strange’s building, so it survived the quake. The
team realised it could play a crucial role in the
design, creating a raw, textural backdrop to a new
laneway and courtyard that would be home to a
number of cafés and bars.
“The Christchurch City Council is encouraging
such mixed-use developments and laneways as
part of the urban blueprint for the city. It is all about
revitalising the city and making it a lot more liveable
and friendly.”
“For the new Strange’s and Glendenning buildings, we chose to express the steel framework
on the outside of the building, so the bones and
structure are clearly visible – the strength can be
seen at a glance. The two buildings are seismically
separate, however, and the Glendenning building
has a Lichfield Street address.”
Sheppard and Rout Architects also created
a large egg -shaped cylindrical concrete core,

Preceding pages:Mixed-use
commercial developments
are once again enlivening
the Christchurch CBD. The
Strange’s and Glendenning Hill
buildings incorporate a laneway
and a collection of bars and
restaurants.
Below left:The steel structure
is exposed to highlight the
strength of the building in the
post-earthquake environment.
Curved steel forms the entry to
the laneway.
Right and below:Positioned at
the junction of two main streets,
the building forms a sharp apex
on the upper levels, creating
an urban gesture to the city.
At ground level, the facade is
curved to create a more friendly
exterior beside the footpath.