BY DESIGN
FAITH IN ARCHITECTURE
M Richard Dalman Managing Director, Dalman Architects dalman.co.nz
any of Canterbury’s fine historic uses such as music, sports, meetings, yoga, churches, and in particular those of and a multitude of other classes. stone and brick, were badly hit by So too for the Salvation Army’s the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Christchurch City Corps building on Colombo While timber churches such as St Michael’s in Street. The interior of the worship hall is Oxford Terrace were flexible enough to remain designed to be warm and friendly, unlike the standing, stone churches such as St Mary’s in tent in a graveyard that the organisation’s Merivale were damaged beyond repair. And founder first preached from in the late 19th of course, some, such as the Durham Street Century. It features great acoustics and is Methodist Church, collapsed completely. home to the famous Sallies brass band. The Since the quakes, we have seen the NZ Army Band has also recorded a CD here. construction of many new churches around This building has a full-size basketball court/ the city. While today’s architecture sees sports hall, welcoming “drop-in” spaces, a some still designed as pure worship spaces, sheltered sunny courtyard, and offices for its ranging from simply minimalist to grand local and regional organisation. and inspirational, most new churches are Two other churches in the design phase also designed as a hub to support their include the Hope Presbyterian Church local community. in Rolleston and a True Jesus Church in This is certainly true of two recently Addington, both featuring spaces beyond their completed churches in Christchurch by worship hall. Dalman Architects. The National AwardNo matter the denomination, it is important winning Chapel Street Centre, Methodist for modern architects to listen carefully to the Church on Harewood Road encompasses a church’s specific needs and provide a building worship space, sports hall, and lounge areas. that not only meets these but also allows It is often booked out for various community connection to the surrounding community.
44
