Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Opened in 2017, the Seafood Research Centre for Plant & Food Research is a key outcome of a master planning process focused on consolidating seafood research activities into one site at Port Nelson. The building is now an anchor tenant of the Seafood Research Precinct.

The 2,300m2 mass-timber structure provides a modern, flexible work environment for 50 staff in a series of focus and collaborative spaces. Natural light is drawn into the building through the two-storey glazed curtain wall and sky lights, and natural ventilation through louvers and high-level actuator-opened windows.

Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Bound on water by three sides, the building is aluminium clad to provide a robust and durable exterior in this harsh marine environment.

Due to the location on reclaimed land, foundations were provided on 15m long 375 octagonal reinforced concrete columns.

Plant & Feed Seafood Research Centre
Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

The main structure is locally sourced (less than 100km) mass timber featuring a high level of prefabricated timber elements, including Xlam timber shear walls, LVL cross columns for lateral bracing, Poitus LVL flooring and roof components.

Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre
Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Specialist science facilities include chemistry labs, PC2 Molecular labs, wet labs and a flow tank.

A high level of transparency through the building between the labs and office environments promotes interaction and connectivity between these spaces.

Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre
Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre
Plant & Food Seafood Research Centre

Client: Plant & Food Research

Location: Nelson

Status: Completed 2017

In association with: Lab-works Architecture

Sector: Science & Research, Workplace Design

Expertise: Sustainable Design, Mass Timber

Awards: NZIA Nelson/Marlborough Architecture Awards, Winner – Commercial Architecture, 2018

NZ Wood Timber Design Awards, Excellence in Engineered Wood Products, 2018

Karl Vercoe, JTB Architects

Karl Vercoe

Senior Architectural Designer

Nelson

Liam Dunstan, JTB Architects

Liam Dunstan

Senior Architectural Designer

Nelson