Papa Hou

Award Winning Christchurch Community Centre 

Overview 

Christchurch’s Papa Hou is a multifunctional community centre with various facilities, including a theatre, preschool, health and wellbeing spaces, education, and dance and movement studios.  

Papa Hou, meaning ‘treasure box’ in te reo Māori, references the range of community-based activities and facilities within the structure. The architectural design blends modern functionality, important cultural meaning, and sustainability. Together these elements create a space that truly serves Christchurch’s community. 

Considering the architectural significance of the build, it was then important to ensure that this structure was not only properly protected but that the fire surface protection did not interrupt the vision for the design. 

Our Involvement

Fireshield's efforts in the Papa Hou project began at the early design stages, working in close collaboration with the architect to provide comprehensive fire protection solutions.

With much of the steel structure left exposed as part of the semi-industrial design, we recommended our waterborne Steel 1001, which provided a clean, architectural finish that complemented the overall aesthetic.

This choice aligns with the building's overall commitment to health, wellbeing, and energy efficiency, while the low-VOC, environmentally friendly coating contributed to the project's sustainability efforts and supported its biophilic design elements. 

In addition to product recommendation and supply, our experts provided technical consultation, advising on critical details such as the fixing of linings, services, and mechanical and electrical fittings to intumescent coated members. 

Throughout the construction phase, we maintained a strong presence on-site, making regular visits to assist the main contractor and applicator. Our team offered guidance on compliance with the code of practice and shared insights from our extensive testing data, ensuring every aspect of the fire protection strategy was thoroughly considered and implemented.

Outcome 

Papa Hou is now proudly a 2024 Canterbury Architecture Awards winner and continues to serve as an important hub for community activity and engagement. 

By collaborating closely with stakeholders throughout the design and construction process, Fireshield ensured that Papa Hou achieved both optimal fire safety while maintaining its cultural and architectural significance.