After a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch in 2011, most of the city’s infrastructure and buildings sustained damage and were subsequently demolished. A key objective of the recovery effort was to establish Christchurch as an ‘accessible city’.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) recognised the importance of a new, highly efficient public transport hub in revitalising the city and commissioned Aurecon, in partnership with Architectus, to design and document the new Christchurch Bus Interchange.

Aurecon’s design objective for the new interchange was to put people first, focusing on an integrated transport and land use solution.

The result was a flexible, multi-tiered mode interchange hub that enables access to buses, intercity coaches, taxis and a central cycle parking pace. The new interchange has also transformed the overall transit experience with its airport-style lounge and high level of amenity.

A high-end transit experience

The new interchange is an ‘L-shaped’ concourse which has been constructed as two seismically separated buildings and designed for optimal pedestrian permeability.

The hub’s double-height vaulted roof allows light to penetrate the space whilst large timber pods under the main steel roof provide an overwhelming impression of space and amenity upon entry.

Inside, passengers enjoy an airport-style lounge facility with easy access to retail and cafes around the perimeter, whilst outside a public open space is shaded by a towering cantilever roof structure.

The customer experience is also enhanced by a naturally ventilated environment which exploits geothermal energy drawn from an aquafer 70 meters below ground; future-proofed to become an energy node on the CBD energy scheme.

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