Breakfree on Cashel Hotel

OTHER ENTRANTS

Breakfree on Cashel Hotel, Christchurch

Submitted by:  Dominion Constructors Ltd

Owners:  Cashel Street Holdings Ltd  /  Lockwood Properties Christchurch

Architect:  Dalman Architecture Ltd

Consulting Engineer:  Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers Ltd

Contractor:  Dominion Constructors Ltd

Sub-contractor:  Firth Concrete

Summary:

Dominion Constructors was the Design & Construct contractor to seismically strengthen and refurbish the existing building to 80% NBS for client, Russell Property Group.

For structural reasons, a series of full height concrete shear walls needed to be constructed to the exterior walls.  In-situ concrete construction was necessary to tie into the existing building structure for the full height of the six level building.  The client and Architect required a continuous look all the way up the building incorporating a formwork pattern and texture into concrete.

The new concrete walls are integrated into the original building facades, and the new vertical fins installed to create an updated look to the building.  The design exposed both the front and side new concrete walls on the inside spaces, to continue the ‘raw’ material theme of metal, recycled timber and wool carpet.  The concrete finish provides a textural backdrop to this funky vibrant space.

To achieve the requirements several challenges were overcome by the design and construction teams;

• Structural considerations limited the concrete compressive strength
• Constructability necessitated use of self-compacting concrete (SCC)
• Architectural requirements were for a F5 finish internally and an off-the shutter rough-sawn timber pattern appearing seamless for full height of structure.