Outstretched arms – social services and admin building offers a quiet, calm environment

Designed by Dalman Architects

From the architects:

Background

This building, named Te Korowai, is the home of Presbyterian Support Upper South Island, located in Christchurch. Presbyterian Support provides social services for those who need it, regardless of culture or religion.

Brief & Design Intent

The owners sought a new purpose-built building for their administration and wrap around social service delivery functions. 

The building needed to offer a quiet and calm environment while accommodating a range of very specific functions: from bespoke counselling rooms through to more general administration type functions and spaces. 

The owners wanted a building that offered safety, acceptance, character and reflection to its users and visitors. 

The large western roof overhangs represent arms reaching out to embrace and welcome the wider community into the building.

The result is a building of light and calmness that provides a safe and nurturing environment for its inhabitants.

Construction & Planning

The 600m² two-storey building is constructed from a mix of structural steel frames and concrete walls and floors. The external walls consist of a fully insulated 140mm thick timber frame wall with double glazing to all windows and doors. 

The building has an exposed precast concrete panel core that runs the length of the building housing amenity, circulation and secondary functions. 

The rest of the internal space is fitted out into a variety of reception, offices, meeting rooms, counselling rooms, staff room and external first floor deck.

No mechanical plant or other machinery are positioned on the roof but are instead housed in a purpose-built enclosure on the ground level beside the building offering easy and safe access to the plant for maintenance and servicing.

Sustainability

The building has an efficient external envelope with high levels of insulation and insulated glazing units. 

In addition, existing trees to the east and north have been retained to help reduce heat build-up. 

The western façade employs large roof overhangs and external louvres to help moderate heat gain. 

The layout of the building allows the space and configuration to be altered and adapted for changing uses and functions – all internal walls outside the concrete core are non-load bearing. 

The use of natural light and energy, low energy LED lighting and efficient mechanical plant helps lower the building energy usage and helps improve the building’s environmental footprint.

 A well-appointed and light-filled stairwell encourages walking between floors. Secure bike parking and shower facilities are provided for staff.

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Stephen Goodenough