Deep freeze

Christchurch has been the gateway to Antarctica for well over a century. In 1901 Robert Falcon Scott's ship 'Discovery' docked at Lyttelton, followed 6 years later by Ernest Henry Shackleton in 'Nimrod' and in 1910 Scott returned with 'Terra Nova'. Following on from the earlier expeditions, in 1955, planes, ships and crews for Operation Deep Freeze started using Christchurch as their last stopping point before making their way further South.

The International Antarctic Centre in Orchard Road, Christchurch, established by Christchurch International Airport Limited, opened on 28 September 1990, to support Antarctic scientific programmes with architecture inspired by the icebergs, ice shelves and glaciers of Antarctica. The Centre today houses an eclectic mix of functions from housing administration, warehousing and clothing stores to the Antarctic Passenger Terminal and Visitor Centre – The Antarctic Attraction.

A seven day a week tourist attraction, painting the Antarctic Attraction is nearly as much of a challenge as living on barren ice planes, with the need to keep the centre looking its best and fully operational while completing the exterior paintwork as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Previously two pack painted precast concrete was sealed with one coat of Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer to promote adhesion of the topcoats followed by two coats of Resene AquaShield mineral effect finish tinted to a special blend of Antarctic White. Resene AquaShield combines a water repellent surface with a dead flat finish giving an attractive easy to maintain exterior. The neutral white is accented by colonnades in Resene Lumbersider tinted to Antarctic Blue, a fitting hue to complete the icy palette.

Client: Lindsay Johnstone, TAAL Education & Exhibition Manager (www.iceberg.co.nz); Dean Christie, Christchurch International Airport Ltd
Painting Contractor: CD Fisher Ltd
Resene: Geoff Edwards, Christchurch Trade Sales Manager, Simon Leigh, Christchurch Project Services Representative
From the Resene News – issue 2/2006

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