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Christchurch City Council media release

Botanic Gardens Centre design chosen

The concept design for the proposed new visitor centre and staff facilities in the Botanic Gardens was launched by Mayor Bob Parker today.

A panel of assessors which included elected members, Council staff and independent architects unanimously chose a concept design produced by Patterson Associates Ltd. This followed a design competition where six designers from the 32 teams who had expressed interest were invited to submit concept plans.

Transport and Greenspace Manager Alan Beuzenberg says the chosen design stood apart from other submissions because of its simplicity as an architectural form and for the clarity of the site planning.

“Having a competition meant we could find the architect or firm showing the best understanding of the nature of the botanic setting and presenting a design appropriate for the variety of uses it will have,’’ he says. “We are excited with the design chosen by the panel and supported by the Council.

“The proposed building is compact and relatively narrow so it opens up significant new space in the Gardens,’’ Mr Beuzenberg says. “It incorporates extensive use of glass allowing a sense of spaciousness. A feature of the building is the café which the designers say will give a “tea in a glass house experience’’. It is light and airy and the glass exterior gives a great view of the surrounding trees and plants.’’

Pattersons architect Andrew Mitchell says “The design of the new centre is in the spirit of classic garden architecture found in the city’s own Cuningham House and Kew Gardens in the UK.

“It is contemporary in both form and function and the glass exterior keeps the public in touch with the centre’s daily operations. The building is designed to communicate and educate the visitor in the beauty, variety and complexity of the plant world.

“The centre houses the Garden’s important collections, has function rooms and the glasshouse café which is common in many international gardens. It opens out onto a new lawn area and banks of the Avon River which are currently inaccessible. This new open area can be used for markets, performances, sculpture exhibitions and picnics.’’

As well as the public spaces such as the café and a multi-function seminar/education room, the centre houses nursery facilities with greenhouses, potting areas, a herbarium, a library/archive area, staff spaces and equipment and maintenance storage areas.

Mayor Bob Parker says “Like many other folk in the city, the Botanic Gardens and especially Cuningham House, have been part of my personal landscape since childhood.

“The new visitor centre immediately appeals as it picks up on the essence of how I, and I hope many others, feel about the gardens.

“The scale is appropriate and the materials resonate beautifully with the role of the building as not just an interpretation centre, but as a living transpiring and inspiring part of the daily workings of the Botanic Gardens.’’

Construction of the new centre is likely to begin in late 2010.

ENDS

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