Christchurch campus redevelopment update

An artist's sketch of the new Oxford Terrace building.

The next stage of the redevelopment of the University's Christchurch Campus is about to begin.

The project will give the campus the space and updated facilities needed to keep growing and delivering world-class health science research and education programmes.

It will also bring departments together in one area and provide new opportunities for collaboration with other important partners in Christchurch's Te Papa Hauora/ Health Precinct.

The two-stage project involves constructing a new six-storey building on Oxford Terrace (stage one) followed by a proposed redevelopment of the campus' existing eight-storey Riccarton Avenue building on the Christchurch Hospital campus (stage two).

With approval from the University Council for stage one, the project team is now moving into the developed design phase of the new Oxford building.

"This is a project with such clearly quantifiable public benefits. Not just within Christchurch but in the wider health community with the teaching and research it does into the future."

The University Council approval is subject to appropriate stage gates at the end of each design stage and other regular check points, which will revisit ongoing affordability of the project.

The building will house laboratories, clinical research, medical imaging technology, teaching and learning spaces and workspace.

Groups comprising University staff and students have been involved at every stage of the design and will continue to have opportunities for input.

The aim of the developed design phase is to clearly define the detailed requirements of every room through engagement with key user planning teams and reference groups.

“I'm delighted for the project team who have worked hard to get the development to this stage,” says University Chief Operating Officer Stephen Willis.

“This is a project with such clearly quantifiable public benefits. Not just within Christchurch but in the wider health community with the teaching and research it does into the future.”

It is envisaged that enabling works to prepare the site will begin in March 2021.

The Oxford terrace build is one of five “shovel-ready” projects the University has submitted to the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group, set up by the Government to consider assistance for projects that could commence construction within the next 12 months.

The Christchurch campus is a training base for medical students during the final three years of their undergraduate degree.

It is also a research-intensive campus, hosting postgraduate health science students and world-class research groups whose work benefits patients nationally and internationally.