Lean and green - creating an epicentre for education and research in the land-based disciplines

Waimarie Lincoln University Sciences North Building

Environmental science holds the answers to many of our society's most urgent challenges. More than ever, we need science to deliver creative, innovative and smart solutions to managing our food security, resources, and waste. In replacing their former earthquake-damaged science buildings, Lincoln University set the boldest ambition, to create an epicentre for education and research in the land-based disciplines, as well as a hub for interorganisational partnerships and industry-wide collaboration.
Waimarie stands out as an exemplar of tertiary architecture. 
Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Jury
Gifted to Lincoln University by Te Taumutu Rūnanga, the name Waimarie celebrates kā puna Waimarie – the bountiful lakes – and marks the new building as a facility that will foster leadership, inspire productivity and become a nexus for the transmission of intergenerational knowledge.
The complex brief is distilled into a simple layout with intuitive and generous circulation routes. The innovative multifunctional lobby and teaching spaces are carefully curated with vibrant colours and textures, fostering a lively and informal environment for students. 
Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Jury
The building is insulated with 10 tonnes of locally-grown wool from 2000 sheep, and the supplier of the 100% NZ wool carpet is owned by over 700 Kiwi wool-growing farming families. 
Oak beams installed in the ground floor teaching spaces were milled from oak trees that had to be felled on the Lincoln campus in 2018. 
The Canterbury clay brick façade was extracted and made within the local district and blends harmoniously with the exisiting character building
A seismic dampening solution featuring rocking shear walls, decreased the steel weight of the building, reduced embodied carbon and increased the building’s earthquake resilience.

Collective Effort

Collective Effort

Joseph Hampton
Principal
Christchurch
Iain Nicholls
Senior Associate
Christchurch
Tim Hervey
Senior Associate
Christchurch
Graeme Finlay
Principal
Christchurch
Jonathan Coote
Head of Design, Principal
Christchurch
Kylie Adamson
Senior Associate
Christchurch
Awards
2024 - Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Canterbury Architecture Award - Education 2024 NZ Commercial Project Award - National Category Winner – Education Property Council NZ Awards - Education Property Award - Merit

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