Sited in the heritage precinct of High St, the Billens Building replaces the original 1906 building, designed by Eddy England, which suffered earthquake damage in the 2011 shakes and was finished off by arson in 2012. Critical to the building’s success is the inter-weaving back into the urban fabric, achieved by making a big nod to the past while embracing the future through materials that respond to the realities of building in an earthquake zone. Newly formed laneways, which now wind their way through central Christchurch, activate the back of the building, helping the Billens Building rise again as a critical element in the Christchurch rebuild.