King Edward Barracks Master Plan
The Christchurch site where the King Edward Barracks were once located has a long and rich history of habitation and use making the site an area of cultural significance. Spanning an entire inner city block, the development will consist of a unique combination of commercial, residential, and parking buildings arranged to frame urban spaces.
The riverside site which is framed by Cashel Street, Hereford Street, Montreal Street and Cambridge Terrace has been designed to deliver a vibrant and vital link between the Christchurch CBD, Hagley Park, civic centre and the cultural precinct. The design of the landscape and buildings express and celebrate the strong cultural and historical bond of Ngāi Tahu to the site, and the subsequent use by Europeans.
The piazza and open urban spaces on the site are intended to be public spaces with a strong pedestrian focus. The piazza in particular will be a ‘people place’ ensuring an area for safe pedestrian movement and space for informal gathering. This urban realm will soften the built form while adding vibrancy and site activation, as well as reflect the history of the site.
The master plan is a unique and exciting opportunity to make bold, large scale integrated urban gestures that were not possible before the earthquakes.
A fearless sense of adventure and invention is expressed by the skin of this building, that is lyrical and sensuous, and complementary to both the plan and the commercial character of the building. The building acknowledges the river and courtyard like a parent loves a good daughter or son. The Right Honorable R. J. Seddon, Premier and Minister of Defence, would be proud of the fact that 113 years on his stone still holds centre stage in this fine new building. - Jury Citation, NZIA Canterbury Awards 2018
