Location;

Carlton corner is an important gateway into central Christchurch. Papanui Road has been an important meeting point for the people of Christchurch for over 100 years.

Site planning and building orientation;

The new Carlton supports and reinforces, both visually and physically, this important central city site the building has a strong vertical rhythm, which facilitates movement through the offset zinc panels, further tensioned with horizontal timber bands. The Carlton is a mixed use building that includes a restaurant/bar (536sqm), takeaway restaurant (305sqm), and office space (354sqm). We have developed a multi-purposed building that functions well for all tenants yet looks cohesive from the exterior.

Architecture;

The Carlton is a contemporary solution to what was lost in the 2011 earthquake, the new building reinforces visually and physically this important corner site. This support is manifest in the way in which the building relates to the corner, the rhythms of the building, including the placement and scale of windows to provide interaction between the street and the interior at the human level. The remainder of the building still emphasises the vertical at high level. The new building holds a level of detailing that works visually from both a distance and close up.

Legible and intuitive entry points to the different spaces have been provided that recognise desire lines and contribute to the urban area, acknowledging all traffic movement to and past the site. This is further reinforced with planting and paving to guide pedestrians into the building.

The original Carlton was a heavy concrete building, as architects we were conscious of the fact that this made people feel uncomfortable given the history of the city so designed a building that gives a sense of lightness. Externally zinc has been used as it is light weight, yet authentic and ages (patina) well over time. The use of zinc reinforces the verticality of the building and avoids the look of flat painted panelling. Cedar was considered as an exterior material, however the maintenance of such a material excluded it, instead opting for an engineered timber to reduce the maintenance issues for the building.

Urban Design principles

The new building considers its context on one of Christchurch’s key corners and gateways to the central city, this is recognised through the buildings dominance anchoring the corner site, but also lowering itself to the north respecting the hinterland area it faces and services.

The character of the new building reflects and enhances the environment that was loss, but also recognises that the built environment needs to be evolving and not static or moving backwards.  Hence the resulting building is a new and unique modern building which reflects the mass and scale of what was loss, but provides a dynamic and exciting product for future generations to enjoy and experience.

The building adds richness to the area and diversity via its scale, materials, colour, and drama setting it apart from the standard glass and concrete office buildings, leaving a strong and lasting effect on those that come in contact with it.