The project brief involved the transformation of a collection of industrial warehouse buildings in central Christchurch, into an inviting & vibrant new home for Majestic Church, whose previous theatre building was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquake. The existing dilapidated industrial sheds were previously used for machinery fabrication & required earthquake strengthening, decontamination & re-purposing to provide a variety of multi-purpose spaces including the Auditorium, Foyer, Youth, Recording, Dance & Arts Studio spaces.

The initial design process involved careful surveying of the existing buildings on the site, to assess what elements were of value to remain, re-configure or demolish to allow for modern insertions. An assessment of how the Majestic church brief would integrate with the existing elements was key to arriving at a strategy for re-configuration.

The existing building elements of value were strengthened using cantilevered steel columns to support existing concrete post & beam with brick infill structures. The columns were tied through new concrete slabs, which brought the floors above floodplain levels.

Through a detailed assessment of the Majestic brief, key connections of how the existing spaces could be used & where entry points or new insertions were required. Interrogation of the brief identified a desire to connect the church spaces to the public realm & enhance relationships with the community.

The fundamental approach to the site connection was to provide a layered integration from the street into the heart of the Majestic space, being the main Auditorium/performance space. A courtyard space between the existing buildings provides a connection from the foyer / informal gathering spaces to an entry deck/terrace, with concrete pillars to the street frontage creating a layered delineation to the street frontage.

The main auditorium gable is conceived as a series of scales that step back from the street frontage to the courtyard & are punctured by a steel-framed diamond-shaped window, creating a connection into the auditorium from the footpath. The layered GRC façade provides a strong focus on the site & forms a relationship to the various gable facades on the site & other concrete work. The lighting of the façade provides a vibrant identity for the Majestic space within an otherwise forgettable neighbourhood of industrial buildings, mall carpark & next door supermarket building.