Westpac Canterbury Centre, Office tower in central Christchurch, New Zealand
The Westpac Canterbury Centre was a 14-story office tower with rounded concrete columns at each corner and a distinctive triangular roof crowning its form. The building integrated retail spaces within its three-story base while functioning as the bank's regional headquarters.
The building was constructed in 1983 as the headquarters for Canterbury Savings Bank and suffered severe damage during the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Its demolition in 2012 marked the end of an era in Christchurch's skyline.
The structure marked an architectural transition from brutalism to structural expressionism in Christchurch, displaying its concrete frame as a design element.
The structure was visible from the street but remained inaccessible to the public after earthquake damage made it unsafe for entry. Those interested in its design could only observe the architectural features from outside.
The building's footprint formed an elongated hexagon with rolling foundations engineered to absorb seismic movements during earthquakes. This specialized design approach to earthquake resistance was advanced for its time.
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