University of Auckland Science Block / Leigh Marine Centre
This project consisted of a new Science building and a new Interpretive Centre. The site is located 80km north of Auckland City.
The works involved a decanting process from one building to another and therefore Amstar had to work in collaboration with the on site Science Faculty to ensure uninterrupted services. One of the main challenges was the lack of asbuilt information regarding existing on site services. The Science building was designed with two structural elements; block masonry with suspended concrete floor and light weight timber framed construction for the office administration area.
This mix of hard and soft materials is sympathetic to the surrounding environments. Being adjacent to the marine environment it has created a beach house feel. The exterior cladding is mixed with aluminium cladding and timber rain screen boards which meet the demands of the marine environment as well as RMA requirements.
The interior is a combination of relaxed and clinical environments. It meets all the best and most modern requirements of a laboratory and teaching environment.
This project won a Resene architectural award.
