By Sheppard & Rout Architects
Situated with the same business park as two other office buildings Sheppard & Rout have completed, the site for this new office building enjoys the same impressive views across Addington Raceway.
A large rectangular office floor plan runs parallel to its boundary with the racecourse to embrace these views while providing a clear and open area for adaptable fit-outs for future tenants. Deep vertical fins along the West side provide protection against interior solar heat gain.
Sitting in front of this rectangular form, an angular core rises up and out towards the road, containing a sculptural curving stair and rich timber detailing. In addition, like SunGard, this angular core employs well-detailed concrete panels to reference the surround industrial environs.
We aim to produce humanist architecture comprised of stimulating and inspirational spaces and places.
We are a design-based practice that believes in providing tailor-made solutions to an individual client's needs. The fundamental objective of the practice is to develop architecture that is appropriate to its specific site, wider context and intended use while being robust, flexible and environmentally-aware.
These variables are used along with the appropriate structural considerations to develop buildings with well-suited form and style, instead of approaching the design from a stylistic standpoint.
The practice was established in 1982 in Christchurch by David Sheppard and Jonty Rout. In its 40 years the practice has carried out a wide range of projects covering many types and in numerous geographic locations. The founding partners brought to the practice extensive design and construction experience gained while working with other offices in both New Zealand and overseas. Tim Dagg joined Sheppard & Rout in 1986 and Jasper van der Lingen in 1993 and they both joined David Sheppard as Directors in 2006.
With David Sheppard now retired and Jonty very sadly passed away the practice is led by Directors Jasper van der Lingen and Tim Dagg and three Associate Directors; Matt Gutsell, Jonathan Kennedy and Steven Orr.