Heating solution for Ministry blueprint
Children and underfloor heating play nicely together
- Main Contractor: CityCare
- Mechanical Contractor: Aurecon
- Consultant: Stephenson & Turner
The Court Theatre
Image supplied by The Court Theatre
Products:
Situation
Following the devastating Christchurch earthquakes in 2011, The Court Theatre was forced to vacate its historic home in the Arts Centre. What began as a temporary relocation to Addington evolved into a 14-year chapter of resilience and creativity. Throughout this time, Christchurch’s passion for the performing arts remained unwavering, fuelling a vision to re-establish a vibrant arts precinct in the heart of the city.
Now, that vision has come to life. The Court Theatre’s new purpose-built facility proudly stands at the corner of Colombo and Gloucester Streets, complementing neighbouring cultural landmarks such as the Isaac Theatre Royal and The Piano. This three-storey complex features two performance spaces: the 377-seat Stewart Family Theatre, designed with flexible seating across three levels to accommodate a variety of stage configurations, and a smaller auditorium seating 120 to 150 guests, ideal for children’s theatre and improvised comedy.
Beyond the stages, the building houses dedicated areas for wardrobe, costume, and props construction, an education studio, rehearsal rooms, administrative offices, and a fully equipped workshop for set design. At its heart is a welcoming front-of-house bar and café, offering guests a warm and inviting space to gather before and after performances.
Main Contractor: HawkinsMechanical Contractor: Aquaheat New Zealand Limited
Consultant: Cosgroves
Approach
The new Court Theatre was designed by Athfield Architects in collaboration with UK-based Haworth Tompkins, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. The architectural vision incorporated natural materials, passive ventilation, and abundant daylight to create a comfortable and energy-efficient space.
To complement this vision, Cosgroves engaged Central Heating New Zealand to assist with the underfloor heating to deliver both radiant comfort and environmental performance, ideal for large public areas. Our commercial engineering team designed a hydronic underfloor heating system with 2,000 metres of underfloor heating pipe throughout the ground floor front-of-house area, seamlessly connected into two FAR 9-way manifolds.
In addition to the underfloor heating, to assist with combating the radiant cooling effect of the external glazing, thirteen Licon trench heaters of varying sizes were supplied and strategically positioned beneath the bar seating along the front windows, providing discreet and effective heating along with cooling in the summer months.
The dual heating system offers a refined balance of performance and comfort, delivering powerful warmth that gently fills the space without noise or airflow. Even during peak arrival times, when doors open and outside air enters the building, the system maintains a perfectly tempered indoor climate. Guests enjoy a consistently comfortable environment, allowing them to immerse themselves in the theatre experience from the moment they arrive.
Outcome
The hydronic heating system at The Court Theatre plays a quiet but essential role in shaping the experience of every guest. It’s not something you see, but something you feel, a gentle warmth that welcomes guests as they step inside, setting the mood for an evening of live performance. Like a warm hug, it adds to the sense of comfort and anticipation that defines a night at the theatre.
Designed to be efficient, sustainable, and long-lasting, the system will continue to support the building and its audiences for decades to come. It’s a foundational part of the space, working silently in the background to enhance the creative energy that flows through Christchurch’s performing arts scene. This project is a reflection of what’s possible when thoughtful design and expert collaboration come together to create something that truly supports both people and place.
Additional Info
Photo Credit
Exterior Court Theatre images supplied by The Court Theatre
Construction with PERT underfloor heating pipe image supplied by Christchurch City Council
