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Innovative new HQ building for premier Events Centre
July 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment
The hive of activity surrounding the 44th National Fieldays at Mystery Creek Event Centre has not diminished as work has now commenced onsite for the organisation’s new headquarters.
The 1050sqm facility, designed by architects Chow Hill, is due to be ready by Christmas and will accommodate up to 50 staff with designated areas for expansion.
Sited beside the Gate 2 entrance with views over the event centre’s 113 hectares, the new building has been designed to harmonise with its rural surroundings.
Mystery Creek Events Centre CEO Jon Calder said, “Chow Hill have done a magnificent job on the design, creating a visually stunning building that reflects the heart and essence of what Mystery Creek Events is all about, while being considerate to our rural surrounds.
Calder said the new Headquarters will be the catalyst for significant change in the way the organisation operates.
“Moving into a modern, vibrant space reflects the dynamic environment our Events business operates in. Providing our people (staff, society members and volunteers) a home that can accommodate our business requirements, but that also provides space for us to host up to 100 guests, with magnificent views out over the events centre and toward the river was of the utmost importance. We wanted to create something that all our people will be proud of and feel comfortable calling ‘home’. At the same time, the building needs to be functional and we think we have catered for the practicalities required to run one of New Zealand’s largest multi-functional Events Centres.”
Nestled at the edge of a bank, the new Headquarters will give the impression that it is evolving out of the existing landscape.
A 12metre cedar entry tower and an extensive horizontal glazing system are just some of the key design elements of the iconic building.
A unique combination of exterior cladding materials and external sun controlled louvers will be not only practical but enhance the look and feel of the building.
Cantilevered decks will protrude over the banking to offer expansive views of the site
The 70metre span mono-pitch roof needs roofing materials which are too long to be transported so will have to be formed onsite using a special fabrication machine.
The new headquarters also have many eco-friendly features including: solar hot water, heat recovery ventilation system, water harvesting and storage for fire fighting water supply/ flushing WC’s and landscape irrigation, a dedicated air-rated water treatment facility and rain gardens and swales to control all onsite storm water and excess roof run off.
Interior detailing by the architect is innovative and extensive and offers acoustic solutions along with eye enhancing features such as specialty panelling and floor coverings.
Fletcher Construction Building Manager Mark Ritchie says they are excited about being awarded the contract to construct what is to be an iconic building that will enhance the landscape of the events centre footprint at Mystery Creek.
“Due to the tight timeframe required to construct the complex we had to hit the ground running by starting the project the week before Fieldays, having to secure the site to allow earthworks to proceed.”
The short building programme, especially over the winter months, has posed a number of challenges for the construction team however good progress is currently being made with piling complete and subfloor works well underway.
For further comment please contact:
Vicki Annison, Communications Assistant, Mystery Creek Events Centre
Phone: 07 843 4497 or Email: vickia@mysterycreek.co.nz
