The new Ilex building in the Botanic Gardens by Patterson Associates was just named an outstanding public building in this year’s Canterbury Architecture Awards.

Judges praised the Botanic Gardens design as a contemporary structure which referenced traditional glasshouse buildings.

Vbase’s Darren Burden said, “The structure’s long form is an almost ethereal presence within the greenery of the gardens.

“Our multi-purpose event space at the Botanic Gardens is ideal for everything from cocktail parties, dinners and meetings, and seats up to 160 people with its riverside location providing exceptional indoor and outdoor entertaining. And the adjacent ilex café, and impressive foyer entrance can be transformed after hours for evening events,” said Burden. 

The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre is also the 2015 national category winner for Tourism and Leisure in the New Zealand Commercial Projects Awards.