| 7 T T Karen Phelps Landmark development for Chch Health Precinct The six-storey facility is the largest and most ambitious project in the university’s Christchurch history. University of Otago: School of Medicine REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Christchurch’s Te Papa Hauora/Health Precinct is preparing to welcome a landmark development as the University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka’s new WaiOra building nears completion later this year. The six-storey facility is the largest and most ambitious project in the university’s Christchurch history, promising to consolidate departments, expand student capacity and enhance collaboration across health disciplines. “The inception and early design work for the project started over a decade ago, driven in part by the impact of the Christchurch earthquakes,” says Kim Sneddon, University of Otago senior project manager. “It’s really exciting to see it come to fruition this year.” The Wai-Ora building is located on the former Tillmans furniture site between Montreal and Antigua Streets. Currently staff and students are spread across a number of smaller buildings. “For the university this will bring many of our different departments together and allow for a better level of collaboration and connection. The space itself, in the heart of the Te Papa Hauora, will enable research to flourish with the new laboratories and facilities.” Construction, led by Christchurch company Leighs, began onsite in mid-2022. The project has required complex excavation, de-watering and structural works due to the building’s tight inner-city location. Despite these challenges progress has been steady. Kim says the logistical difficulties of the site, coupled with the size and complexity of the building, have been well managed. Wai-Ora incorporates a strong cultural narrative developed with Ngāi Tahu, emphasising social wellness and balance within the environment. Ariki Creative is collaborating to transform this narrative into artworks that will feature throughout the facility. The building’s name, gifted by mana whenua, symbolises the spiritual and tangible relationship between the site, water and the health research, clinical practice and teaching it will host. The building will house four floors of laboratories, clinical research and teaching facilities, a simulation clinic and dedicated spaces for staff and students. Kim says the simulation clinic will replicate a six-bed hospital room, giving students hands-on experience in a controlled environment. Wai-Ora will offer a total area of nearly 17,000sqm. The southern side of the building will have a glass curtain wall, backed with a thermal curtain-wall system, and the north side has a folded louvre, which has a proprietary aluminium-framed thermal broken curtain with integrated external solar shade system. It will include an innovative artesian heating and cooling system which will extract warm water from underground aquifers to heat the building and reverse the process for cooling during summer months. Aligned with the university’s zero carbon strategy, Wai-Ora is targeting a 5 Star Green Star as-built rating by reducing emissions, promoting recycling, waste reduction and efficient building use. “These features reflect a commitment to sustainability, efficiency and long-term operational success,” says Kim. “Wai-Ora promises to transform the student and staff experience, strengthen the university’s presence in Christchurch and contribute to the wider health community through worldclass facilities and research opportunities.” Backing the University of Otago School of Medicine project with quality electrical services. 35 HIGHRISE CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS Providing specialist hire equipment throughout NZ. If you need a material handling solutions for your multi storey and high-rise projects, look no further than SkyTech. No matter if you are constructing a brand-new high rise or renovating an existing structure, SkyTech can help. 0508 759 832 | office@skytech.nz | www.skytechnz.co.nz Sky Hoists Sky Decks Logistic Solutions Industrial & Marine Coating Contractors Not Just Coatings are a proudly owned and operated New Zealand company successfully completing a wide range of industrial and commercial projects throughout New Zealand. We specialise in: • Grouting • Sealants • Waterproofing • Line Marking • Concrete Repairs • Crack Injection Please visit our web site to view our capabilities and modern fleet of equipment or email us for a quote. +64 27 287 1515 • sales@notjustcoatings.nz • www.notjustcoatings.nz • Concrete Grinding • Foam Insulation • Internal Tank Cleaning • Water Blasting up to 40’000 psi • Hydro Demolition • Abrasive Blasting • Industrial & Commercial Coatings • Marine Coatings • Intumescent Coatings • Epoxy Coatings • Polyurea Coatings • Seismic Strenghthening (FRP)
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