Cashel Mall Christchurch, Re:START, New Zealand Retail Building, NZ Earthquake Rebuilding, Design
Christchurch Rebuilding : Cashel Mall
NZ Retail Building, South Island, New Zealand architecture design by The Buchan Group
27 May 2013
Re:START Christchurch
‘Re:START’ Christchurch CBD
Design: The Buchan Group
picture from The Buchan Group
RE:START PROJECT SHINES AT NZIA AWARDS
The New Zealand arm of architecture and design firm The Buchan Group have been recognised at the industry’s night of nights, taking out a New Zealand Architecture Award in the Planning and Urban Design category for the unique Christchurch retail project Re:START on Friday night.
Located in the Cashel Mall, the shopping precinct concept was developed following the devastating earthquake in February 2011 to help re-establish retail trading in the Christchurch CBD. The Buchan Group were invited to join the Re:START project group based on their extensive retail experience throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The Buchan Group Principal Peter Zillman said that the Re:START project tested the design and innovation skills of the project team.
“We are extremely proud that we had the chance to help the Christchurch CBD back on its feet following the earthquake, and that the project has been so well received by the public,” Mr Zillman said.
“The precinct’s unique design is centred on the use of shipping containers, making it a portable, modular system that can be used for single or multi-storeys to create an interesting, vibrant retail precinct.”
The concept of using shipping containers came from Christchurch Senior Associate Anton Tritt, who developed the project details and brought the concept to life.
“I am delighted that the project has been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects in this way, it is a credit to everyone who worked on the Re:START project and to the people of Christchurch who embraced the precinct and supported the retailers,” said Mr Tritt.
The judges’ commented on the project:
“A project animated by an enterprising spirit and realised through a burst of collaborative endeavour has generated a social dividend to Christchurch well as a commercial return to the city’s inner city retailers.
picture from The Buchan Group
The Re:START container shopping precinct is an imaginative experiment in urban revitalisation, and by virtue of its human scale and it’s courtyards and intimate laneways it offers a demonstrably popular model for the Christchurch rebuild.
Although designed as a temporary and inexpensive solution, the colourful and vibrant mini-neighbourhood evinces many of the qualities of good urban design.”
The Buchan Group is continuing work on subsequent stages of the Re:START project, including the newly-completed Food Zone and retail container relocation, in keeping with the transient nature of the development.
The entire process for the Re:START project, from concept design to completion took just 27 weeks, with Leighs Construction completing the build within eight weeks. All services were connected and fitouts and signage installed in time for the official opening by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in October 2011.
Re:START The Heart Trust, emerging from the Central City Retailers Group, received financial support from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and ASB Bank, New Zealand.
The 2012/13 New Zealand Architecture Awards were held in Auckland on Friday, 24 May at the Viaduct Events Centre.
16 Dec 2011
Cashel Mall, Christchurch
Brisbane architects help ‘Re:START’ Christchurch CBD
Design: The Buchan Group
pictures from The Buchan Group
Brisbane design firm The Buchan Group has shown its strength in the retail sector with the practice’s architectural design of the new shopping precinct in New Zealand’s Cashel Mall, Christchurch.
Following the devastating earthquake in February this year, The Buchan Group Brisbane, in conjunction with their Christchurch arm, was invited to join the Re:START Group to draw on its retail expertise to help re-establish a temporary retail hub in the Christchurch CBD.
With retail projects such as Robina Town Centre and the Wintergarden redevelopment under their belt, The Buchan Group jumped at the chance to work on such a unique project, Brisbane and New Zealand Principal Peter Zillman said.
“We were extremely proud to be approached by Re:START to help get the Christchurch CBD back on its feet, with the re-establishment of a retail precinct not only an economic boost for the city but something that will boost the community’s morale as well,” Mr Zillman said.
“The precinct’s design is centred on the use of shipping containers, making it a portable, modular system that can be used for single or multi-storeys to create an interesting, vibrant retail precinct.
“One of our Christchurch Associates Anton Tritt had previously designed a home using shipping containers, and he and graduate architect Jason Cheyne developed the concept that has been so well received by the people of Christchurch.
“The overall design created a north and south precinct and with the containers oriented to screen earthquake damaged areas, and generous public space incorporated including cafés, seating and extensive landscaping.
“The practice has a long history of contributing to the architecture of Christchurch, establishing an office there in 2001 to further our work in New Zealand.
Cashel Mall is the traditional heart of CBD retail in Christchurch but had been closed to the public since the earthquake.
Landowners allowed Re:START to use the land without cost and 27 retailers committed to the project, including Ballantynes department store.
The entire process, from concept design to completion took just 27 weeks, with Leighs Construction completing the project within eight weeks. All services were connected and fitouts and signage installed in time for the official opening by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in late October.
Re:START, comprising the Central City Property Owners and Business Group, Civil Defence and the Christchurch City Council, received financial support from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and ASB Bank, New Zealand.
The Buchan Group is one of Australasia’s most acclaimed architectural, interior and graphic design firms, servicing clients from diverse sectors in Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United Kingdom for more than 120 years.
Cashel Mall Christchurch Building images / information from The Buchan Group
Re:START Christchurch architect : The Buchan Group
Location: Cashel Mall, Christchurch, New Zealand
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