Projects Historic and Heritage Buildings

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora

Breathing life back into the Arts Centre

10,000m²+Scale

The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is an iconic, historic treasure for the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

With the buildings severely damaged following the 2010-11 earthquakes, restoring the centre to its former glory as a cultural, artistic and community hub offers a unique opportunity for Powell Fenwick to help bridge the gap between the city’s past and future.

Our teams are providing the mechanical and hydraulic services design, which involve 23 buildings within the Arts Centre complex. With two thirds of the project complete, the restored spaces uphold many of the centre’s former uses and are home to an eclectic variety of retail, dining, cinema, accommodation, office and art spaces.

Designing energy efficient heating and insulation while preserving the heritage façade has been essential to ensure the buildings are comfortable. Ground source heat pumps are concealed within the basement plant rooms to distribute heat around the site, while a diverse array of mechanical solutions are tailored to suit the buildings’ many needs.

The buildings are being successively handed over with the first commissioned in June 2016 and many more having followed. This progressive approach ensures our tāngata can enjoy all the vibrance and life the Arts Centre has to offer while it slowly rebuilds.