From the Avon River to the Arts Centre, Fletcher Construction is helping to support the return of art and culture to Christchurch’s central city.
Not only is it undertaking construction work in both locations, it is supporting SCAPE Public Art to install new public art there too.
Fletcher Construction has provided funding and technical expertise to install two sculptures by internationally acclaimed artist Antony Gormely in the central city. Entitled Stay 2015, the cast iron sculptures are two identical human figures in reflective pose. One will stand in the Avon River while the other will be in the paved grounds of the Arts Centre.
Chief Executive, Construction Group, Graham Darlow said Fletcher engineers worked hard to ensure the two 609 kg sculptures are safely secured and the mounting is aesthetically pleasing.
“Antony Gormely’s vision for the figure in the Avon River was to have its feet covered by the water at all times. As we considered our usual load bearing calculations we added buoyancy, river flow and river levels into the mix to make sure we got the best result.
Often our piling and infrastructure work is below ground and not visible so it’s good to have the results above ground and made visible in such a meaningful way with this thoughtful sculpture.”
Fletcher Construction has worked in Canterbury for 95 years and has had a permanent office in Christchurch for 60 years. As part of its commitment to the rebuild of Canterbury, Fletcher Building contributed $5 million toward the Arts Centre restoration. Installation of the Gormley sculpture was a collaboration between Piletech and Brian Perry Civil.
Fletcher Living was recently named the preferred development partner for the East and North Frame residential housing project which will see 940 homes built on a large area of land centred on Latimer Square with the introduction of approximately 2,000 residents.
Fletcher Living is committed to helping return vibrancy to the central city so as part of its winning proposal, pledged $1 million towards temporary use of vacant land within the development. Markets, sporting and arts events are being considered as options to help bring people back into the city.
Major Fletcher Construction projects underway in Canterbury include the Grand Central retail and commercial development, the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct and the Regional Science and Innovation Centre at the University of Canterbury. Fletcher is also completing the EQR Canterbury Home Repair Programme and is undertaking infrastructure work as part of the SCIRT alliance.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Shannon Huse Caldwell
External Communications Manager
Phone: + 64 9 525 9085
Mobile: + 64 27 807 2933