Author of case study: Marcela Torres Molano

Geopolitical location of space:
20 Lichfield Street
Christchurch Central City

Extant? Yes

Architect:
Cox Architecture, Opus Architekten, Warren and Mahoney

Timeframe RJ/TJ process in this space:

Construction completed in 2017.

Background information:

Is restorative justice actually taking place in this space?

The building and its surrounding facilities serve mostly the traditonal justice system of New Zealand. However, its design was created in collaboration with Ngäi Tüähuriri and was based on Māori cultural references (in honour of the 1998 Ngäi Tahu land settlement claim). As such, the architectural project can be seen in a larger framework of national reconciliation processes.

Is this space designed/arranged for safe listening?

Yes, there are 19 purposely designed courtrooms, and one major space designed for discussions around Māori land.

Who is the audience/the intended participants for this space?

Citizens of Christchurch in need of justice and emergency services.

How or to what extent is this space public?

This building belongs to the Ministry of Justice of New Zealand. It was intentionally designed to be “open and accessible in its public form” (ArchDaily).

Physical/factual description of space:

Area: 40.000 m²
Clients: Ministry of Justice of New Zealand

The five-storey structure was designed to become an adaptable facility for justice and emergency services in one purpose-built complex. It is located in the central business area of Christchurch, and it is made up of three buildings – the Justice Building, the Emergency Services Building and a car park for operational vehicles. This amalgamation aims to contribute to a more efficient, shared operation between these sectors.

All components gather around a central courtyard. The place has 19 peripheral courtrooms on the building’s outer edges, which provides views of the city and access to natural light. Natural light is also present in the public foyer, waiting areas, and the widened circulation paths that have a clear visual relation to stairs, lifts and traverse bridges.

The materials used in the building, such as limestone, brass, warm-toned timber and bronze, were used as a reminder of the loss of local heritage. Moreover, “the Ministry of Justice partnered with Ngäi Tüähuriri to develop a visual identity founded on Ngai Tüähuriri/Ngäi Tahu values, narratives and aspirations.” Both exterior and interior details of the building, including the façade, the roof patterns, and the floor entrances, were created based on Māori references. These details, created by Ngai Tahu artists Lonnie Hutchinson and Fayne Robinsonwere, were designed to honour the meaning of healing of the 1998 Ngäi Tahu Settlement, and to create familiarity to Māori visitors. Both the name Te Omeka, as well as a large piece of pounamu, a sacred Māori stone, were gifted by Māori tribe Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the custodians of the land.

The building has great technological innovations. It uses an underground aquifer for heating and cooling. Because the underground water layer has a consistent temperature year round, during the summer it helps to cool down the temperature, while during winter it increases it. It was also designed with a seismic system to ensure the services operation for the Christchurch community in case of emergency.

Analytical description of space:

The precinct was the first major government building completed in the city after the earthquake of 2011. The building aims to display the largely invisible cultural landscape of Ngāi Tūāhuriri. It includes the integration of cultural narratives into the physical form and aesthetic aspects of the structure. This was the result of an extensive collaboration between architects, designers, artists and mana whenua (authority over land or territory). The project’s architectural approach was focused on people and culture as a central axis, hence the human-centred design that incorporated citizens and heritage.

The name Te Omeka was a gift from the “Ngai Tuähuriri” to the Ministry of Justice, to represent partnership between the protectors of the land and the government. This collaboration created a more accessible, people-centric building that fosters a direct relation of citizens with the structure by reducing both physical and psychological barriers to entry.

“The Omeka is a legacy left by the people of Ngäi Tuähuriri. It asks that our hearts and minds and different faiths be bound as one to the law of Crown and Queen so that the Treaty may speak to us all.” Dr. Te Maire Tau, Upoko of Ngäi Tuähuriri.