Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, New Zealand Building Development, NZ Architecture

Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct

Architecture Project on South Island of New Zealand: Building Photos design by Cox Architecture

9 Jan 2020

Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, South Island

Design: Cox Architecture

Location: Christchurch, NZ

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct (CJESP) is the largest combined facility of its kind in Australasia, and the first major public development built by the New Zealand Government following the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct by Cox Architecture

The Precinct, commissioned as a key project to accelerate the reinvigoration and revitalisation program within the city’s devastated CBD, consolidated all justice and emergency services within a single purpose-built precinct made up of three elements; the Justice Building, the Emergency Services Building and a car park for operational vehicles.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct design by Cox Architecture Architecture Project on South Island of New Zealand by Cox Architecture

The 40,000 sqm precinct was designed through a collaborative process between Warren and Mahony, WSP Opus Architecture and COX to house 19 multi-jurisdictional courtrooms, an emergency operations centre, facilities for police, corrections, fire service, St John’s ambulance, the Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury.

Christchurch building design by Cox Architecture

New Christchurch building by Cox Architecture

Taking up an entire city block and combining services that prior to the earthquakes were spread across 22 locations, the development is a commitment to the quake-prone city, designed to protect its citizens and represent a symbol of safety for the people and a reliable fortification against future disasters.

Christchurch Justice building design by Cox Architecture

Five years in the making, the precinct officially opened in September 2017, bringing life back into the city centre and restoring confidence in Christchurch as a safe and vibrant city.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct NZ building design by Cox Architecture

The site’s size enabled the incorporation of a generous courtyard, furthering the precinct’s sense of openness. A glazed public atrium overlooking the courtyard allows all circulation and waiting areas to enjoy views of green space or the city, exploiting close visual links to the beautiful Avon River and Port Hill.

New Zealand Building Development

From the street, concrete denotes the Justice Building’s civic grandeur, with extensive glazing, artwork and bronze accents adding a sense of softness. The design of the building seeks to steer clear of the traditionally dense and visually impenetrable public buildings that often comprise of looming mahogany walls and bland corridors.

New Zealand South Island Building Development

The CJESP sought to engage with the community, openly inviting the public into the precinct via accessible public entries and free-flowing movement paths. These design strategies create spaces that decrease some of the high-stress situations occurring within the precinct’s walls.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

The Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct is an important marker in the rebuilding of Christchurch City and is symbolic of the government’s dedication to its city and people.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

Innovation: Utilising the aquifer
Utilising the underground aquifer for heating and cooling is another innovation in the precinct design.
The underground water layer, known as the aquifer, is a reasonably consistent temperature year round. In the summer it is cooler than air temperature and in the winter it is warmer than air temperature.
The precinct system allows the groundwater to be extracted (using water wells) and pumped through heat exchangers. This allows the gaining of heat from – or the loss of heat to – the ground.

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

‘This precinct is a significant investment in the Christchurch rebuild and by housing all the justice sector agencies and the city’s civil defence and emergency management functions in one location it also shows how public sector agencies can work more closely together.’
Former Prime Minister John Key

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, Christchurch – Building Information

Architect: Cox Architecture

Project size: 40000 sqm
Project Budget: $300000000
Completion date: 2017

Architects: WSP Group
Architects: Warren and Mahoney

Christchurch Justice Emergency Services Precinct

Photography: Dennis Radermacher

Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct images / information received 090120

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

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