Located at the junction of High Street and Montreal Street in Christchurch CBD, this four-level commercial building combines ground floor retail and hospitality with upper-level office tenancies and a basement carpark.
Positioned near the Bus Interchange, Ara Institute, and the emerging stadium precinct, the project responds to a rapidly evolving urban context with a highly sustainable, flexible, and future-focused workplace environment.
The building’s structure is defined by the selective use of timber. A regular grid of Spruce glulam columns and European Spruce CLT floor and roof slabs create open floor plates that maximise tenant flexibility and adaptable fit-outs. This rational spacing supports efficient services coordination while maintaining structural performance. Timber was chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio, reducing overall building mass and foundation depth compared to conventional steel and concrete, delivering both construction efficiency and cost savings.
All primary timber elements were factory coated with a treatment product and hydrophobic varnish, protecting them during construction while forming the final exposed finish. Rather than concealing the structure, a thermally shielded curtain wall façade was deliberately selected to showcase the mass timber columns and beams. The expressed structure is visible from the street, reinforcing architectural honesty and celebrating timber’s inherent warmth. A white frit pattern on the glazing reduces solar glare and protects the timber from solar fade, improving occupant comfort. West-facing white GRC fins reference the ground floor white brick façade while complementing the Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic achieved through Spruce.
Timber extends beyond structure into key architectural features. Spruce CLT forms the atrium stair, including risers and landings, encouraging occupants to choose a healthy, active alternative to lifts. White Ash battens and decorative plywood linings enrich wall treatments, while Birch plywood lines feature soffits, adding texture and warmth throughout the interior.
The project advanced industry innovation as a pilot for a new range of mass timber connectors developed in collaboration with Hilti’s team in Liechtenstein, refining the system for New Zealand conditions and significantly improving site installation efficiency. A dedicated shop modeller coordinated timber and steel trades, enabling accurate off-site fabrication and minimising on-site remedial work.
Seismic resilience is achieved through Tectonus friction dampers, providing ductility and low-damage performance. Sustainability outcomes are measurable: reduced embodied carbon, lower structural weight, and a recently achieved Green Star 6 rating. A forthcoming three-storey green wall in the atrium, combined with the prominent Spruce stair, reinforces biophilic intent and encourages active movement between levels.
Through its structural performance, architectural expression, and environmental responsibility, the project demonstrates how timber delivers construction efficiency, cost-effective outcomes, aesthetic distinction, and long-term value. The careful material selection and thoughtful detailing celebrate timber’s versatility while achieving high standards of sustainability, flexibility, and occupant experience.
Timber species used:
- Spruce – CLT slabs, and stairs elements
- White Ash – timber battens and decorative lining
- Birch Ply – feature soffit lining
- Spruce – Glulam Beams and Columns
