Christchurch Precinct reveals and tour
It's been an exciting week for the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct with the reveal of design elements and a visit from senior government representatives.
The first of two designs by artist Lonnie Hutchinson (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hāmoa) has been revealed. It’s an eight metre high, 36 metre long aluminium kākahu façade (traditional feather cloak) that wraps around the first floor of the car park. The kākahu design is inspired by the endangered Kākapo parrot, and the anodised metallic cloak represents the striking hues of the Kākapo’s feathers.
Hutchinson has also designed a huia feather frit that will be applied to the glazing of five two-storey window bays running the length of the Precinct’s Durham Street frontage. Those with a keen eye may have already noticed a printed gold frit pattern on the interior. The application of a second cream coloured layer of frit to the external glazing, in the New Year, will be more noticeable.
On Friday former Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key, Justice Minister Hon Amy Adams, Minister Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister Hon Nicky Wagner and Justice Secretary Andrew Bridgman thanked the Fletcher Costruction Company for their work to date on the Precinct. They checked in on it's progess and took a tour of the Precinct, which included a visit to the first completed courtroom.
The Precinct will have 19 new courtrooms featuring natural light, open spaces, upgraded technology for video conferencing and remote evidence, dedicated Whanau rooms and secure areas for vulnerable witnesses.
Good progress is being made on the Precinct, with Fletcher Construction Company committed to a handover to the Ministry of Justice in late March 2017. It is expected that the Precinct will be fully occupied in mid 2017.
The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct is a $300 million project, led by the Ministry of Justice. It brings together all justice and emergency services in one purpose-built, leading-edge precinct in central Christchurch. It is one of the major Anchor Projects outlined in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, released in July 2012, and will be the most significant Anchor Project completed to date.
We’re proud to be a part of Christchurch’s regeneration, and expect this building to be the keystone of justice in Christchurch.
Caption: In the above photo is Justice Minister Amy Adams and the artist Lonnie Hutchinson.