THE BIGGEST LITTLE BUILDING

This thoughtful project brings beauty and interest to the Cashel Mall promenade, and has earned a regional win in the New Zealand Institute of Architects Local Awards, for Dalman Architects.

WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Stephen Goodenough 

ARCHITECT Dalman Architects BUILDER Consortium Construction 

According to Richard Dalman, the owner of this unique Cashel Mall establishment desired a new single-storey building to replace the original structure that had been damaged in the quakes. While they required a partial mezzanine, they did not want to go to the expense of building two or more levels – this conflicted with the city council’s preference of 2-4 storeys in this part of town. Dalman came up with a unique solution. 

“Our response was to make the Cashel Mall facade look as if it was bigger. It’s the little building that wanted to be bigger.” 

The façade extended up higher than it needed to be and included an oriel bay window to further increase the building’s presence and provide light into the space. Concrete boundary walls provided structure and fire solutions with steel beams spanning between. On either side of the openings, the concrete front walls help give the building a solid presence that a continuous glazed wall would not have. 

“We saw the building as being a small jewel, which was appropriate given its use, and crafted it using the late Italian architect Carlo Scarpa as an inspiration.” Scarpa’s influence is shown in the façade, with pre-cast concrete and copper finishes. The interior enjoys a large volume, and ply linings create a natural environment. With the original building having occupied its site for over a century, this reincarnation references the scale and the long narrow shape of the original while providing a stylish and modern commercial premise. 

To their credit, the client stuck with the chosen finishes of copper and fine precast concrete. Colorsteel was used on the southern façade that looks out to a laneway. 

“By making the building seem larger than it is and crafting the Cashel Mall façade, we hoped our building would last the test of time and not be a temporary one storey solution to be torn down in five to ten years when demand and land prices have increased.” 

Consortium Construction was charged with making the concept a reality. 

“We pride ourselves on our practical, pragmatic approach and being easy to work with. Although we tackle large projects, we are not a large corporate ourselves; relationships with clients are always number one, and we strive to make the process as simple as it can be,” says Brooke Whiting, the general manager. 

For Brooke, the building is unique. “The exterior is different – the design incorporates unique concrete panel details in different finishes, plus the amazing copper piece that faces onto the Mall, the effect is really cool. The street frontage is narrow, and if you blink, you miss it, but it is so worth paying attention, so you can appreciate the detailing.”