Client : Jucy
Building Type : Commercial / Tourism
Design : 12 months approx
Construction : 16 months approx
Whilst at Archaus, Greg was Project Architect working with JUCY and main contractor Arrow International in the delivery of the new JUCY Snooze building adjacent to Christchurch airport. This is a flagship operation for JUCY Group, and their first serious foray into the new build accommodation market. The focus was to encapsulate an ‘on boarding’ experience into the hostel reception and operation, aimed towards the target market of young independent travellers heavily connected to social media. The key was promoting friendship, connectivity and fun.
Greg developed a number of concepts for the main shared space, theming it to reflect the landscape of the Canterbury Plains and expressing a transition between the urban flavour of the café space and the rural feeling of a more natural rural setting. What the team settled on was a collection of various zones within this space allowing different types of relaxation and social engagement, including a kitchen space, a partially enclosed dining area, and a ‘hammock forest’ floating above rolling hills. The zones are linked by a meandering floor treatment reminiscent of the two main rivers to the North and South of Christchurch. The overarching approach was to leave each guest with a feeling of joy and surprise, a great start to their self-drive South Island experience.
Adjacent the communal area is New Zealand’s first capsule style accommodation - the innovative JUCY Pods. These self-contained capsules come with all the features of a room, offering guests privacy within a shared room. There’s also more traditional style accommodation with Queen, Twin and Family Ensuite rooms, compact yet stylish!
The building was officially opened by The Rt Hon John Key, and is a successful part of the JUCY experience for many visitors to New Zealand.
* This project was undertaken while employed at Archaus