Statistics New Zealand – CIGA Project

Christchurch

Colours are muted and calm within high-concentration work areas with more vibrant colour used in collaborative and shared spaces.

When complete, the Christchurch Integrated Government Accommodation (CIGA) project will see approximately 1,700 government employees from up to 20 government agencies return to the Christchurch CBD in four purpose built tenancies.

With Statistics New Zealand as lead agency, this fit-out was the first to be completed. This co-location will also be home to the New Zealand Transport Agency, Internal Affairs, Te Puna Kokiri, The Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs, the Human Rights Commission, Creative New Zealand and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

The brief called for the adoption of the Government Property Group’s (formerly PMCoE) workplace strategy and guidelines. In particular the following principles were key drivers:

• Open plan, consistent design, to facilitate ‘space-less’ growth.

• A choice of work setting – individual work points and quiet spaces for high concentration work, shared meeting rooms and informal meeting spaces for collaboration.

• Centralised of shared amenities and communal spaces to maximise spontaneous interactions.

• Design not to favour one agency over another.

• Adoption of technology.

400 staff are now accommodated across three floors and 6000 square metres of modern flexible office space offering a range of collaborative work areas, quiet spaces and meeting rooms. The largest of the three floors will incorporate a shared public reception and large staff hub designed to encourage the interaction of staff from different agencies and maximise the benefits of collaboration.

Finishes and materials were selected and detailed to provide a professional yet inviting environment with ply panelling used throughout to imbue spaces with warmth and to provide a robust substrate against which accent colours were juxtaposed.

Colours are muted and calm within high-concentration work areas with more vibrant colour used in collaborative and shared spaces. The colour palette intentionally does not favour one agency.

Features draw upon familiar aspects of the Canterbury plains and Christchurch’s public green spaces. Wall panelling depicts the main divide and braided rivers.

The palette of materials used throughout the shared spaces reflects the natural elements and seasons of the Canterbury region as well as visual references to the mountains, river and sky.

The back painted glass panels to the reception counter front are a subtle nod to the fact Cantabrians bleed red and black.

The building incorporates a number of prominent structural steel braced frames which provide lateral resistance to the superstructure. After some deliberation it was agreed that these elements would not be concealed but rather expressed openly so as to highlight the structural and seismic integrity of the building, which given its location was felt to be a positive approach. Resene Foundry was used to accentuate this feature while in keeping with the overall colour palette.

Resene Write-on Wall Paint was used on one wall within each meeting room over Resene Black White. Resene Qristal Clear Poly-Flat was used as a clear finish on timber screens, including in the reception area, and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen was used on plasterboard partitions in a range of colours – Resene Black White, Resene Waterfront, Resene Flourish and Resene Foundry. The reception is enhanced with colour using Resene Triple Rakaia, Resene Half Baltic Sea, Resene Chicago, Resene Salsa, Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Jalapeno on back painted glass.

Architectural specifier: Pelorus Architecture
Building contractor: Leighs Construction
Client: Statistics New Zealand
Client representatives: Leah Dunn-Miers and Marie Rodgers
Painting contractor: Chris Geany
Photographer: Jason Mann
Project manager: Martin Hebler and Kevin Lovell, TBIG
Quantity surveyor: Darren Buckley, Rawlinsons
Services engineer: Chris Martin, BECA
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2016