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Naylor love Canterbury Ltd
Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers (Engineer), Powell Fenwick Consultants (Engineer), Rawlinsons Limited (Cost Consultant), The Building Intelligence Group (Project Manager), Tonkin+Taylor (Engineer), Wilkie + Bruce Architects (Architect/Designer)
St Bedes College
Naylor Love was tasked with the challenge of constructing a new Chapel of St Bede and strengthening and extending the existing Performing Arts Centre. The new Chapel replaced a temporary facility, which had been used since the 2011 earthquakes and provided the school with a place of worship. Incorporated into the new Chapel are the original stained-glass windows from the demolished Chapel. Effort was made to seamlessly incorporate the school’s existing fixtures and fittings such as the organ, stations of the cross, pews, altar, statues, bell and wood carvings. The team’s seismic strengthening of the Performing Arts Centre successfully returned it to its original functionality. The extension included a kitchen, servery and large foyer with and an outdoor deck area.
This is two distinctly interlocking building projects – burying underground to strengthen the foundations of the Performing Arts building, and a new Chapel for the school. The works were challenged by the hand digging, low height excavation and the need to safely work around the school programme. All of which was completed with the precision and care required. The octagonal chapel successfully completes a line of existing brick buildings of the school that face the street. It stands clear and presents all the complexities expected in the construction, with the details finely resolved, particularly the geometry to the ceiling above the nave. The plaster walls with timber beading are beautifully executed. Salvaged materials including stain glass, pews and an organ from other churches which were destroyed following the earthquake, and were refurbished and installed. The space is engaging for the students and the octagonal space creates a break from the traditional school chapel. This is an excellent design solution complemented by superb construction finish which makes this a worthy award recipient.