Overview

The Historic Place Category 1 Isaac Theatre Royal was given a mainly cosmetic refurbishment by Naylor Love in 2004-5, with the project winning several awards at the 2006 Canterbury RMB Commercial Project Awards. After the 2010-11 Canterbury earthquakes, we were engaged to commence stabilisation works, ensure weather-tightness, and prevent further deterioration of the building fabric and internal heritage-listed plaster.

As the aftershocks continued, the scope of works changed into a complete re-build of the foyer and the auditorium, including the addition of several upgrades, including an extendable stage, a new performance space and upper-level foyer and a lift.

One of the key drivers for the project was to allow patrons to return to the theatre without noticing the difference, with the decorative plaster and other heritage features installed over the new strengthened steel and concrete walls and a lightweight reinforced steel-beam roof. We used 3D scanning of the building to allow the design team to detail the reinstatement to its pre-earthquake condition, with features that could not be preserved being faithfully replicated.

Naylor Love worked closely with the client and the design team throughout this complex project, giving advice on cost, buildability, program and construction techniques, which led to considerable savings and improvements in the program.

The theatre opened right on time to the delight of the Christchurch public and arts community alike, strengthened to over 100% of new building code yet complete with all the heritage features that have wowed audiences for over 100 years.

Awards

NZ Commercial Project Awards 2017, Heritage and Restoration, National category winner and gold award.

Property Council of New ZealandSouthern Excellence Awards 2015, Best Project Team Award: Isaac Theatre Royal, Warren & Mahoney, RCP, Naylor Love & Team