Waterfront House, Lyttelton

Following the demolition of their former administration building due to earthquake damage, Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) engaged Naylor Love to construct a new purpose-built head office, known as Waterfront House, to accommodate their operations and administration teams.

With a 1,420m² footprint built on reclaimed waterfront, the three-storey, 2,905m² office building comprises an open-plan office space, reception area, boardroom and meeting spaces, operations room, kitchen and café, amenities, and an external open-decked area.

The superstructure is composed of structural steel, pre-cast panels and pre-stressed rib floors. A cantilevered staircase overhangs the waterfront façade, facing outwards to the ocean. Curtain walls and aluminium cladding, folded to mimic a shipping container, define the architectural expression of the building. Acoustic insultation of the building was a key aspect of the project – noise from Port operations is effectively blocked and unnoticeable in the interior, creating a relaxed and focused environment.

The continued and uninterrupted operation of Lyttelton Port was critical to the successful delivery of this project. Naylor Love’s experienced project team ensured operational continuity through clear and consistent communication with stakeholders and Port users throughout the works, including timely and accurate notice of potential disruptions.

Security and site safety were paramount throughout the works. Naylor Love coordinated subcontractor pre-inductions for entry into the operational Port before carrying out site-specific inductions. This multi-level induction process required strong communication between the Naylor Love team and Port security.

Weather and close proximity to the water proved a major challenge throughout the build. Naylor Love’s smart contingency planning and programme adjustments facilitated work during inclement weather, including switching between external and internal works at short notice and as conditions allowed.