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The new spiritual centerpiece for Christchurch, Sisters of Mercy – “Te Manawa Atawhai Catherine McAuley Center” presents a rethinking of traditional sacred space, providing as much a place of retreat and learning as it is a chapel.

Designed by Hamish Shaw Architects, the Building was opened in December 2017 and has already gone on to win numerous awards, such as the WANZ / GANZ “Designing with Glass” Award and Canterbury Architecture Awards “Public Architecture” which is part of the NZ Institute of Architects Awards program.

Glassforce was contracted by the Architect and Project Manager to contribute to the design of the bent glass sanctuary garden, located at the center of the building, which provides an area for contemplation and prayer.

Glassforce went on to engage Glasshape® to perform a Digital Site Measure, whilst the building was under construction, from which Glasshape® manufactured 3m (9.84ft) tall constant radius bent glass panels, with varying bend radii for each panel, that on one side of the enclosure angle outwards in a conical fashion. The inclusion of bent sliding glass doors to provide access to the garden sanctuary added to the complexity of the project.

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Client: Glassforce

Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch
Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch
Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch
Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch

Professionals used in
Sisters of Mercy, Christchurch

About the
Professional

Delivering Bent & Specialist Glass with Excellence.

Glasshape®, established in 1986, is a leading innovator, designer and manufacturer of bent, tempered (toughened), laminated and digital ceramic print specialty glass. Family owned and based in Auckland, New Zealand, Glasshapes philosophy of growth through innovation, ingenuity and customer service sees it deliver best-in-class glazing solutions in a variety of categories, with notable success in marine, architectural (residential and commercial), cyclonic, high security and heavy machinery projects.

Consistently investing in technology and capacity to meet the increasing demands from architects, designers and their clients, Glasshape® designs and supplies certified bent and flat glass, either monolithic or laminated, for almost any setting. With Australian offices in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, and headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Glasshape® provides customer centric solutions with an international reach.

Our brands are lauded and respected for the quality and craftsmanship they represent and include DurashieldMarine® marine grade glass, TemperShield® bent toughened glass, AmmoShield® and ArmourShield® attack resistant glass, StormShield® cyclone resistant glass and VisionInk® digitally printed ceramic inks.

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.