Projects - Southern Institute of Technology Centre of Creative Industries

Te Rau O Te Huia is a project with a mixture of old and new. The 140-year-old St Johns Church has been retained and seismically strengthened whilst a 1500m2 (GFA) new building has been built around the existing church.

The new building is a steel framed building with precast and structural glazed elements but the architectural flair means it’s far from your standard “square box”. Exterior cladding is a mixture of tray cladding and Swisspearl and The North building has steep pitched rooves and skillion ceilings which is in keeping with the existing church.

A confined site was just a small part of a build full of challenges. Methodology had to be well planned and carefully managed on and offsite to ensure access was maintained for all lifting requirements

The complex contains six sound proof studios, DJ Booths, editing rooms, group practise room and a green screen room as well as a café open to the public. The upper floors contain computer labs with all the latest technology. A spacious natural light filled atrium is the heart of the building, featuring a floating steel central stair with full glass balustrades to all stairs, landings and walkways.

ABL are once again delighted to partner with SIT who are the proud new owners of a contemporary purpose built facility that includes 140 years of history all in the one space.