Striking central city build
Cutting-edge construction and eco-friendly techniques are contributing to a spectacular new inner city build on Tuam Street.
Construction is already well underway on the new Lexus dealership building, designed by Warren and Mahoney. The standalone retail outlet, due to open in the first quarter of 2024, will operate across two levels with 572sqm of showroom, customer lounges, offices, car parking, and include EV charging stations for customer and retail vehicles. Much of the power flowing through the EV chargers will come from 39 solar panels on the roof that will supply around 20,000 kWh per year of electricity to the Lexus showroom.
Reflecting the Lexus focus on sustainability, the new Christchurch dealership has been designed, and built with the latest innovation in carbon emissions, waste minimisation, and energy efficiency. It uses thermal modelling to optimise glazing, shading elements, thermal mass, daylight levels, and passive ventilation to create ideal conditions with minimal energy input. The concrete mix utilises New Zealand manufactured cement, and achieves an embodied carbon rating of EC24, or a 24% reduction in carbon footprint compared to the industry standard.
Compliance with the New Zealand Construction and Demolition Waste Reporting Criteria has been achieved during construction, and 70% of construction waste from the site has been diverted from going to landfill.
Wherever possible, preference has been given to materials and finishes with environmental quality certifications, such as Declare, Redlist Free, and Greentag. This includes 100% recycled, carbon neutral carpet, 95% of the building’s steel sourced from a Responsible Steel Maker, and 95% of all timber used in construction is either certified by a recognised forest certification scheme or from a reused source.
Lexus of Christchurch General Manager Aaron Frazer says the brand has been represented in Christchurch since the early 1990s, first with a sales and service outlet at Ilam Toyota before moving into its own building on the corners of Tuam and Montreal Streets in 1994.
