New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/03C | Page 43

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Heightened expectations – the
raised corner of the new EntX
Entertainment Central optimises
views into the Canterbury nature-
themed hospitality hub, including
the soaring three-level atrium.
The decimating 2010 and 2011 Christchurch
earthquakes changed the face of the garden city
forever, including the face of cinema. Now the new
EntX Entertainment Central multi-cinema and dining
complex, developed and owned by Calder Stewart “While the cinema component is boldly faced
in concrete, the dining/atrium side of the building
features vertical, variously toned strip cladding
interspersed with vertical, slender glazing,” says
Irvine. “This facade evokes the Canterbury Plains’
and designed by Ignite Architects, offers a truly
eye-catching replacement to what has gone before.
Having heard that Hoyts was looking to create
a flagship venue in the CBD, Calder Stewart
approached the cinema chain with a potential site,
says project director Mark Weaver.
“Several factors recommended the Colombo
Street site,” says Weaver. “The old Hoyts cinemas
had been slightly remote in terms of access, while
the new venue is in the heart of the CBD. Plus, it’s
supported by three near-by parking buildings and is
across the road from the Central Bus Exchange.”
Most of all, the developer felt the city needed a
vibrant new entertainment hub right at its heart.
“To achieve commercial cost-effectiveness we
also researched ways to fill the building that would
complement the cinema offering, ultimately decid-
ing to go up a level and include a hospitality hub.”
However, before construction could begin, issues
of land contamination had to be addressed and
then the land had to be strengthened. The latter
was achieved by introducing 1000 stone columns to
increase the density and bearing of the soil.
The block-length building is comprised of two
quite distinct halves. To meet exacting acoustic
requirements, the cinemas are constructed as con-
crete boxes – the solid form of construction helping
to anchor the building. The precast concrete facade
panels are textured for visual interest.
The conjoined eastern half of the building – the
high atrium and dining precinct – is by contrast a
lightweight steel structure. Because of the length of
the building, it is split into two in the middle with a
big seismic joint that runs east to west – if there’s
another seismic event, the building will move at that
point, minimising wider damage and risk.
Project leader for Ignite, associate Jamie Irvine
says the exterior of this side of the EntX complex
responds to its immediate and wider surroundings. colours – the patchwork quilt seen from above –
and the slender strips also call to mind the poplar
tree wind belts seen on the plains.”
In addition, the distinctive metal cladding meets
the street-level glazing in a zigzagging line, calling
to mind the mighty peaks of the Southern Alps.
“In more immediate terms, the uplifted corner of
the building responds to the articulated architectural
features of the adjacent Central Bus Exchange.”
Inside, references to the Canterbury countryside
continue with a multifaceted fit-out sectioned into
zones that evoke different forests and seasons.
From high-profile archway entry points in the
red Hoyts livery, diners and cinema patrons move
through the triple-height atrium and concourse that
starts with an open ‘glade’ aesthetic and continues
to a more enclosed ‘grove’ feel deeper in the building.
Feature chandeliers, floor motifs, strip battens,
full-height columns echoing tree trunks, colour-
changing hanging canopies, transparent etched
screens and floor stencils all contribute to the natu-
ral theme. There are even planters with real plants
that will grown into the design over time. All this
adds up to an immersive, entertaining environment
to rival the movies screening above – essentially the
concourse offers a green retreat in the inner city.
In acknowledgement of the past, elements such
as recycled brick and heritage timbers were also
incorporated into various aspects of the design.
Stair connectors to the cinemas are in high
prominence and the upper levels of the cinema
floors look down over the concourse atrium.
The cinemas in the concrete component are over
three levels, with the cinema lobby located across
on the hospitality side of the building, on the first
floor. The luxurious Lux lounge and cinemas are on
the top floor. Some of the state-of-the art cinemas
include the highest quality sound systems in New
Zealand and extra large screens.
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