b'gold standardM anagingthelargestportonNewZealandsSouth Island, Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) operates the gateway for goods that keep the Banks Peninsula and the greater Canterbury region moving. Its a big job, one that was understandably disrupted when the Canterbury earthquakes struck in 2011. The disaster saw their administrative headquarters damaged beyond feasible repair and given that their container terminalbuildingwasnolongerfitforpurpose,thesituation offered an opportunity for LPC to start fresh and consolidate theiradministrationandportstaffunderasingleroof.That choice to unify employees of all hardhat and collar colours was the biggest driver in the decision to build new headquarters, and what shape it would need to take.From the clients perspective, this was the biggest challenge to overcome. Integration of our 24/7 works and 9-5 staff into a single space had never been achieved previously at the port, so there was a good level of scepticism as to whether it could actuallywork,explainsMikeSimmers,GeneralManagerof Infrastructure and Property for LPC. We wanted to provide something that everyone could be proud of while also ensuring it was practical and hard-wearing enough that we wouldnt be Strongerconstantly repairing or altering materials and finishes. hours Since the administration staff work traditional office while port staff operate on shifts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a range of working styles needed to be considered, says Project Architect Pippa Ensor of Athfield Architects. But the design team also needed to find ways to create common ground for the two disparate work groups, so they undertook testing with LPC to determine how to best handle different work styles andResenesolutions for the resulting workspace design. FahrenheitWhat they garnered from the exercise was a strong desire forwhich is constrained on three sides by a busy working port andopposite: Exposed structuralResenesharedcommonspacesalongwithmorecollaborativeworkinga harbour on the fourth. The entire team worked closely tosteel and exterior claddingWan Whiteresolve the various construction challenges, such as pile drivingin Resene Fahrenheit provides areas and open plan workspaces based on activity rather thanor large precast panel delivery, to create an outcome that botha strong colour connection to the red shipping the hierarchical structure of the business. Within the workspace,containers that are synonymous with the strategic placement of furniture and meeting pods was key inkept people safe and the port working. surrounding port setting. Details like the colour-ensuring a practical workplace was established, opening up linksGiventhehard-workingenvironment,alloftheprojectsmatched seat cushions in the reception area continue that that cellular office spaces and physical distance between teamsfinishes needed to be durable and easy to clean, but they werevisual linking, carrying the hue further into the space. Plasterboard walls in Resene Zylone Sheen tinted to Resene Wan White and timber Lyttelton Port Companys post-quake often deny. The unique working port environment also played aalsoseenasamethodforcreatingauniquecharacterandlined walls and ceilings sealed in Resene Aquaclear. significant role in Athfield Architects design, influencing everythingresiliency within the buildingone that is equally inviting as it is headquarters consolidates divergent from the structural expression of the mixer stair to the design ofpractical for the 500+ port staff. Locally-sourced materials suchabove: The cladding is custom made, folded on a press to replicate the geometry of the corrugated steel of a shipping container, work groups for a more collegial andkey joinery itemscreating a building at one with its environment,as the recycled timber from the former wharf were chosen for thethen finished in Resene Fahrenheit. Its a key element of Athfield functional workplace. the rich history of the port and the occupants within it. interior lining along with custom joinery and landscaping works asArchitects design for making the new Lyttelton Port Company Pippa says a coordinated health and safety approach wasa way to speak to the sites history and honour the generations ofheadquarters an eye-catching landmark while at the same time at the forefront in responding to the challenges of the site,strong men and women who have worked at the port. integrating seamlessly within its surroundings.28 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 29'