Client RHOAD Ltd (Agents for the Ravenscar Trust)

Completed July 2021

Location Christchurch

Scope & Scale

520m2 single-storey contemporary galley and museum space linked by glazed central terrace built on a base-isolated podium above a basement carpark. The building features reflecting pools, vaulted ceilings, special concrete panels and extensive glass windows. To ensure items on display are not damaged, the building has total temperature and humidity control via a VAV system served by single AHU and an air-cooled chiller and heat pumps. The use of precast assist in achieving thermal levels.

The exterior precast wall panels are partly composed of rubble from the original Ravenscar House (demolished following the 2011 earthquakes). Associated external works and service connections complete the works.

Located in Christchurch city’s cultural precinct, the grand residence will display the Ravenscar Collections, one of New Zealand’s most important privately-owned art collections. On completion the building was gifted to the Canterbury Museum.

Performance

HRS delivered on a high-quality architectural build which included irregular planes and diagonal ridge of the roof and installation of Thermomass panels.

Achieved strict compliance to Resource Consent, Archaeological Authority, Site Management Plan, Noise and Vibration Plan, ECAN Certificates of Compliance for earthworks, dewatering and discharge of water and Building Consent requirements. 

HRS were required to prepare and implement Traffic Management and disruption management strategy plans.

The project calls for a permanent site time lapse camera, connected to a live feed to the Canterbury Museum’s website

Programme: Delayed by design complications, overseas lift supply defaulted, and COVID interrupted overseas supply of glass panels.

“We moved the opening date, but we were more focused on ensuring the quality of the construction rather than rushing to an arbitrary deadline” Steve Wakefield

Health & Safety: High level of health and safety performance and compliance at all times. Nil major incidents, no LTI’s, achieving excellent audit results.

Budget: Initially maintained, however COVID lockdowns, and redesign of lift affected budget.

Awards

We are thrilled this project has been recognised for the following accolades:

Winner of the Registered Master Builders Commercial Project Awards; Supreme Award, Tourism & Leisure Project Award, Commercial Project Gold, and Value Award.

Winner of Completed Buildings Culture category at the annual World Architecture Festival.