The Court Theatre
THE COURT THEATRE
Haworth Tompkins
ARCHITECTS
Haworth Tompkins
ARCHITECTS
Jeffrey Jiang, Martijn Van Der Tol
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN
Elise Walding, Isabelle Thompson, Lottie Vandervis
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Ruamoko Solutions
CLIENT
Christchurch City Council / The Court Theatre
ATHFIELD ARCHITECTS DESIGN TEAM
Jon Rennie, Matthew Webby, Charles Collins
LIGHTING DESIGN
COSGROVES
PROJECT MANAGER
Octa
MAIN CONTRACTOR
Hawkins
ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE
Georgia Bartley
INTERIOR ARCHITECT
Cathy Lee, Hollie Norman
ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING
Marshall Day Acoustics
FACADE ENGINEER
Mott Macdonald
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Botanic Landscape Architects
THEATRE CONSULTANT
Charcoalblue
PLANNING
Planz
QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Aecom
FACADE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Bg&e
DESIGN TEAM
Roger Watts, Steve Tompkins, Toby Johnson, Danny Lane, Nick Royce, Jason Ho
MANUFACTURERS
Regupol America, AMF Heradesign, Abodo Wood, Aspect Furniture, Autex Acoustics, Batten & Cradle, Big River Panels, Carboline, Forbo/Marmoleum, Kirwin and Simpson, Mammoth Insulation, Markham Global, Red Stag Timber, Resene, Rooflogic, Sawmill Direct, Symonite, Thermosash
GEOTECH ENGINEER
Pdp
PHOTOGRAPHS
Simon Devitt
AREA
3700 m²
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Christchurch, New Zealand
CATEGORY
Theater
English description provided by the architects.
SUSTAINABILITY
As a long-term partnership between Christchurch City Council and The Court Theatre sustainability was from the outset an underlying driver for the project.
The following summarises key aspects of sustainability incorporated into the building's design.
HYBRID LOW-CARBON STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
Engineered timber structural elements have been used extensively where structurally and acoustically appropriate in conjunction with a hybrid precast concrete and steel structural elements.
Concrete has been used efficiently in the design to achieve the demanding seismic and acoustic requirements while timber is used for both its carbon sequestering properties, as well as the beauty and warmth it brings to the feel of the building.
HIGH PERFORMANCE THERMAL ENVELOPE
In order to minimise heat losses and gains, insulation levels and building air tightness are key strategies to minimise long term energy use.
At the time of design, insulation values were in excess of double national building code requirements paired with exposed thermal mass where possible to minimise energy use and moderate internal temperatures.
ASSISTED PASSIVE VENTILATION AND COOLING
Passively assisted ventilation and cooling has been employed within the foyer and main theatre space.
Developed from Haworth Tompkins' UK work, passive ventilation strategies have been adapted to a New Zealand context.
Via acoustically attenuated vents and externally expressed chimney, when outdoor temperatures are suitable, the main auditorium benefits from free cooling even during a performance.
AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
Electric air source heat pumps are used to provide efficient heating and cooling to the building in conjunction with the passively assisted ventilation and cooling.
The building draws on the electricity from New Zealand's extensive renewable hydro generation.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
The building is fully accessible. In particular the auditorium includes wheelchair positions on all levels, level changes are minimised and the building is provided with facilities to maximise access.
The palette of materials has been selected with legibility in mind.
