‘Design narrative’ taking shape

Progress continues on the University of Otago’s new $100million Te Rangihiroa College, a folded facade panel now being in place at the southwestern end of the building.

The facade panels are in the kaokao, or chevron pattern.

Senior project manager Simon Dalton said the facade panels provided the first glimpse of the "cultural design narrative" that would be woven into the fabric of the building.

The residential college will have 450 beds, 125 en suite bedrooms, six levels, four wings, a kitchen, multi-functional communal spaces, offices, a reception area and college staff accommodation.

The New Zealand Green Building Council has registered the building as sustainable.

It is expected to open next year.

The new college building will replace the existing Te Rangihiroa College.

The name, which belongs to the University of Otago’s first Maori medical graduate, will transfer to the new facility.