Architecture awards recognise the old and the new
15 May 2018
A project to restore one of the University's oldest heritage buildings and the completion of a new, cutting edge science facility were two of the winners at the NZ Institute of Architects 2018 Auckland Architecture Awards.
Revitalisation of Alfred Nathan House was one of two winners in the Heritage category of the awards and was commended for a design which “accentuates the richness of the original features of a building that dates back to 1882”.
A collaboration between Architectus, Salmond Reed Architects and the University, the project was triggered by the need to upgrade the building’s seismic performance. It included reinstatement of the Princes Street heritage façade and addition of a new open façade facing into the campus open space featuring extensive areas of glazing to deliberately contrast with the heritage masonry.
University Property Services representative Colleen Seth says that although challenging, the team worked closely together to bring the project to a successful outcome.
Home to AskAuckland, the Schools Partnership Office, the School of Graduate Studies, the International Office and Communications and Marketing, Alfred Nathan House was originally built as a private residence before being converted into a private hospital in the 1930s. The University took over the building in 1959.
In direct contrast, the state of the art, purpose built Science Centre Building 302, completed in 2016, was recognised as one of two outstanding new builds in the Education category of the awards. The Science Centre is home to 10 science departments and schools.
Also designed by Architectus, the Science Centre “successfully achieves an animated series of spaces that include advanced science labs, specialist teaching facilities and social gathering areas to establish a strong gateway and connection to the rest of the University,” said the jury.
Like the Alfred Nathan House project, the success of the design is attributed to the team effort of the Faculty of Science, Property Services and its consultants, with the support of the University says Colleen.
“We were delighted to receive the awards which recognise two very different but equally important parts of our property portfolio. It is incredibly important for us to retain, restore and revitalise our heritage buildings such as Alfred Nathan House and also to invest in cutting edge facilities like the Science Centre which is tangible testament to the University’s role as the leading Faculty of Science in New Zealand.”