Glass atrium, stepped P.O. building planned

Press, 27 April 1984, Page 1

Glass atrium, stepped P.O. building planned

The new six-storey Post Office building in Hereford Street will not dominate views of the old Chief Post Office from Cathedral Square. Sketch plans for the project, designed by Ministry of Works and Development architects in Christchurch, were released by the Postmaster-General, Mr Talbot, yesterday. Public access to Cathedral Square and other shopping areas near the site will be maintained through a central, glass-topped atrium with a first-storey skywalk through it. The central atrium will be the height of the present Post Office roofline. The office block, containing Post Office Savings Bank facilities on its first floors, will have levels stepped back from the Square, so that its full height will be seen only from the Hereford Street frontage. “We were trying to retain the scale of the Square; that feeling of intimate scale,” said the Ministry of Works district architect, Mr Jim Espie. The historic Post Office building will retain its identity, but will be linked to the new building by the glass structure. Two pedestrian accessways from the Square into the atrium will be built, and a third will reach Hereford Street opposite the Shades Arcade shopping centre. Mr Talbot said he was convinced that the new development would be of great architectural merit, and would be an asset of which Christchurch could be proud. The atrium walkway would provide better pedestrian access through that part of the city centre, in line with City Council objectives. Mr Espie said that office space would be developed on the first floor of the present post office, but ground floor areas would be retained for postal services. The central atrium would be similar to a conservatory, letting in plenty of light and air. “You are really supposed to feel as if you are in a big glasshouse — that Crystal Palace effect,” said Mr Espie. “There will be an old building at one end, and the new Hereford Street building at the other.” It would be difficult for a pedestrian in Cathedral Square to see the atrium

and building behind the present post office. The new development would not dominate the scene, and the old post office roof line, altered somewhat to let in more light, would retain its integrity. For some months, city councillors. and officers have been viewing optional designs for the Government-

owned property. Retail uses associated with the atrium and its entrance arcades will be Post Office activities, including the Philatelic Centre. The City Planner, Mr Bill Williams, said the City Council had seen the model, and had been very pleased with the design and the

whole concept. “It seems to meet most of the planning objectives,” he said. Private parking sought by the council will not be provided, but parking for Post Office managerial staff and service vehicles is included in the plans. Mr Williams said there had been a greater chance

of local objectives being attained because the project had been designed in Christchurch. Mr Talbot said the complex sketch plans showed “an exciting new approach to architectural design” and would allow the Post Office to provide a more central service.