June 2005

Top stories this month

Adding to Plan’s protected heritage Agrichem response positive Central city park agreed Christchurch – a trading city Cranleigh Barton Drawing Award 2005 Eels tell of new library’s watery world Have your say on QEII Park’s future Replacement trees » Other stories this month

Open House – Sunday, 3 July. Look around

Open House is a chance to look around a selection of significant buildings on Sunday, 3 July, as part of events organised for the Year of the Built Environment. Supported by the City Council, Open House allows people to explore interesting places. It is free and runs from 10am to 5pm.

In most places there will be guided tours and storytellers to point out special features. Free Open House buses, departing on the hour outside the Christchurch Art Gallery, will take visitors to the Lyttelton Tunnel and to Canterbury University’s Ilam Campus. An information counter in the Arts Centre will be open on 1-3 July to answer questions and provide site maps to the venues. The following buildings are included in Open House:

• Jazz School, CPIT, 130 High St
• Hallensteins, 263 High St. New building houses a new school. The top floor is a wonderful space flooded with natural light. Architect Roland Fretwell and interior designer Peter Wynward will be on hand to explain their work.
• South of Lichfield, 96 Lichfield St. An important example of urban renewal.
• Marokapara courtyard, 351 Manchester St. Stunning courtyard celebrates the underlying nature of this place.
• Christ’s College Dining Hall, 1-33 Rolleston Ave. Drawing on his 30 years as College Architect, old boy Sir Miles Warren, pictured at left with Deputy Mayor Carole Evans, will be on hand from 10.30am to 1pm to talk about the recently refurbished dining hall.
• Lyttelton Tunnel Building, 3 Bridle Path Rd. Enter the control room and see the views from the roof. Meet the architect, Peter Beaven.
• Environment Canterbury Centre, 58 Kilmore St. Even heat from the computers is recycled in this clean, green office.
• Maths, Statistics and Computer Science Building, Ilam Campus, University of Canterbury, Engineering Rd. Winner of a national architecture award.
• Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 136 Barbadoes St. Attend the 10.30am service – featuring an orchestra and choir — and the midday service – conducted in Samoan. Guided tours at 2pm and 3pm.