136 | The Kind Foundation T T Bernadette Cooney Hub a ‘treasure box’ of services Papa Hou received the Collaboration|Kotahitanga Award from the NZ Institute of Building in recognition of the project team’s unique collaboration and shared vision. COMMUNITY An exemplary model of social infrastructure and community development, Papa Hou in central Christchurch has earned multiple prestigious awards since it first opened in November 2023. The innovative facility developed by The Kind Foundation, formerly Christchurch YMCA, earned three top awards, including the Infrastructure NZ, Building Nations Social Impact Award for its positive social outcomes and meaningful partnerships with iwi, designers, contractors and community tenants throughout the development. Papa Hou, which means ‘treasure box’ in te reo, also received the Collaboration|Kotahitanga Award from the NZ Institute of Building in recognition of the project team’s unique collaboration and shared vision, alongside holding all involved to standards set by The Kind Foundation’s social procurement policy. That policy ensured group focus and commitment to the benefits the project would bring to Otautahi, both during and after the build. The third honour bestowed was in the Public Architecture category of the NZIA Canterbury Architecture Awards 2024. CEO & trustee of The Kind Foundation charitable trust Josie Ogden-Schroeder says the magnificent new building was stage 2 of a bigger development and made possible by a $43m investment via the New Zealand Government’s shovel-ready post Covid support scheme. The site development’s total budget was $51m, and included the upgrade and seismic strengthening of Hotel Give, the only socially sustainable hotel in Aotearoa, which was e-opened in August 2021. “Papa Hou is more than just a building, it’s a hub where the community can come together, find support, and thrive. Each space has been carefully designed to meet specific community needs, filling gaps rather than competing with other services,” says Josie. Spread across a city block near the Botanic Gardens and Christchurch Hospital, Papa Hou was designed by architectural firm, Architectus, with Cook Brothers Construction as the main contractor. The Kind Foundation delivers a broad range of programmes and services, some of which are commercial and many of which are not-for-profit. The commercial activities fund the charitable activities, all of which support better outcomes for Christchurch young people, children, older adults and people with special needs. Our purpose is to invest in our communities and the next generation by equipping them with tools and resources to lead good lives. Papa Hou is a testament to what’s possible when community needs are predominant drivers of overall design,” says Josie. Within the ‘treasure box’ that is Papa Hou are a range of facilities and activities for community use, including a 200-seat black box theatre available for amateur and professional performances, plus a full-time dance studio and ful-ltime training centre for young people outside of mainstream education. Elevate Fitness provides a modern gym for all ages, offering group fitness classes and gym facilities with views over the Botanic Gardens. A physiotherapy clinic also operates on site. The theatre and conference rooms are available for hire, while the ground floor Atawhai Café provides a welcoming space for coffee meet-ups for all. In another first for the city, Papa Hou is also home to the Pūmanawa Early Learning Centre – geared toward the needs of shift-working parents, says Josie. It has been designed specifically to support shift workers and other employees of both the Christchurch Hospital and the NZ Police – however, everyone is welcome. PROUD TO SUPPORT BUILDING PAPA HOU )25 7+( .,1' )281'$7,21 ,1 ć7$87$+, BUILD WITH US cookbrothers.co.nz Business South - The Kind Foundation - 100x126mm.indd 1 ɐ30 entertainment & event technology We are the South Island's foremost entertainment production company and have been established in Christchurch for over thirty years. Providing staging, lighting and services to concerts, corporates and tours NZ wide forever. 0800 374 3211 | hire@hangup.co.nz | hangup.co.nz lighting • staging • rigging HANG-UP Entertainment Services LTD
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=