UC Students Association
Designing for all pillars of health, for students, staff and visitors.
The new University of Canterbury Students Association (UCSA) building Haere-roa, provides a vibrant hub for student life and activities and is a pivotal part of the student experience. Haere-roa includes student welfare and advocacy spaces, an outdoor amphitheatre overlooking the Ōtakaro Avon River, as well as club, meeting, hospitality, office and event spaces.
The Haere-roa building was newly constructed after the Christchurch earthquakes damaged the original UCSA building beyond repair.
The building’s name, Haere-roa, which translates to the longest stream or the long wanderer, recognises the UCSA building as a space that hosts and welcomes people. The name has been gifted to the UCSA by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and is linked to the Ōtākaro Avon River, which flows past the UCSA site.
A key feature of the building is the Ngaio Marsh Theatre and Performance Centre, a flexible space capable of hosting 300 people seated or 1,000 people standing. The theatre is used for student performances and concerts, and it provides a central meeting and event space for the UCSA’s 130 affiliated clubs and societies. The local community will also be able to enjoy the new Ngaio Marsh Theatre, whether it’s watching a show, attending a concert or using the space for a community event when students are not on campus.
Project Management - Paul Clucas
Proejct Support - Jenessa Georgica
Photography - Jonny Knopp
Project Design
Europlan is one of two suppliers who sit on the furniture supply panel for the University of Canterbury. The Students Association project team engaged with our team in Christchurch regarding the Haere-roa build and fit out.
The project began with concept plans and Europlan worked with UCSA to space plan, provide layout options and propose products and solutions to
support the activities that would take place within the building.
Project Partnership
We worked closely with the client for in the critical early stages providing advice around finishes, fabrics and colours, and adapting to the changing
needs of the project as they arose. We offered consultancy and idea sharing based on our experience delivering spaces that foster learning, creativity and community. It was important that we balanced clever design with a smart use of budget to deliver a high end feel for a high use environment.
Project Management
The project was fully project managed by Europlan and was completed within budget and on time. We drew on our experience in building coworking spaces and modern learning environments to provide a space that was flexible for multi-event use, fostered community and spoke to the values of the UCSA. Taking care to design for all pillars of health, for the students, staff and visitors of the space.
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