This new redevelopment on the South Island’s West Coast encompasses a new visitor Experience Centre and Exhibition Space replacing the existing visitor centre. The development also hosts a community meeting space and local DoC office, creating a diverse multi-user facility.
Engineering solutions included the use of curved glulam beams and glulam mullions unlocking the complex geometry with use of engineering timber primary structural framing, steelwork where required and driven piles to mitigate construction risk resulting from the challenging karst limestone bedrock.
Environmentally sustainable design approaches feature throughout, including extensive use of low embodied carbon materials such as engineered timber, use of landscaping and green roofs for stormwater retention and careful integration of the built forms with the natural environment to minimise impact of the native forest.