Wellington Civic Trust

Wellington Civic Trust Awards 2005

Spectacular artwork and imaginative urban design were winners at the Wellington Civic Trust Awards announced on 22 August 2005. See Media Release.

Well known stonemason Carl Gifford has created a fantastic sculpture garden in Happy Valley Road using stone and recyled materials.

Carlucci Land was the winner of the Community and Volunteer section.

The joint winners of the Civic and Corporate section were the Oriental Bay Waterfront Enhancement and the Oriental Bay Seascape Memorial.

You can visit each one as you walk around the city and see the photos and descriptions for all the nominations below.

The biennial awards, kindly sponsored by Oroya and Pat Day, have become a highlight of the Trust’s programme. This year 17 entries were received and judged by a panel headed by media personality Maggie Barry. Over 100 people attended the Award Ceremony, opened by the Mayor Kerry Prendergast and held at Turnbull House, to celebrate these achievements for our city.

Civic Trust Award Nominations 2005

Civic/Corporate

Community/Volunteer

Civic/Corporate

City Villas

City Villas. The “City Villas” at 30 and 32 Buller St and 242 Vivian St comprise 3 properties brought and renovated by Dartrey and Ann Lamb. They are wonderful examples of the type of architecture that people throughout the country associate with Wellington. Ten years ago they were run down inner city houses and since then have been completely restored to a very high standard. They now operate as fully furnished corporate apartments; the grounds have also been completely landscaped with courtyards fountains and garden furniture.

The owners of these buildings have successfully preserved these beautiful old homes for future generations to enjoy and demonstrate what can be achieved by people who are passionate about the preservation of Wellington’s inner city history.

Dean Bussell was the architect and Prue Stannard did the garden design.

Coastal Trail Upgrade

Coastal Trail This trail just over 1km long is on the seaward side of Moa Pt. Rd. Beginning at the Wahine Memorial Park at Palmer Head it passes through Tarakena Bay and finishes just south of the houses at Moa Pt. Features are a natural rock arch, and the well-known doo-doo sculpture (which incidentally was a nominee for the Awards in 2003) plus the ever-changing weather patterns of Wellington’s south coast. The track allows visitors to get close to the wild beauty of our predominantly unchanged coastal environment and on a clear day allows dramatic views towards the Kaikouras. It provides many safe and visually appealing outlooks accessible to nearly all users.

WC Councilor and south coast resident Ray Ahipene-Mercer has been a longtime supporter of this project. The WCC’s Parks and Gardens Unit did the work with the assistance of local resident and contractor Carl Gifford. The project manager was Peter Helmsley from the Council’s Coastal Operations.

Fran Wilde Walk

The Fran Wilde Walk consists of 2 tall signage columns along the concourse between the Railway Station and WestpacTrust Stadium. They provide clear directional signage for stadium users plus information about Fran Wilde’s association with the Stadium project.

When the Council decided to name the walkway after Fran Wilde who was a prime mover in getting the stadium built, WCC urban designer Hugh Nicholson and the Stadium Trust approached Athfield Architects Ltd and Epitome Graphic and Design to design and graphically interpret the plinths. Jaime Lawrence from Athfield’s did the design and Catherine Griffiths from Epitome the graphics.

Acknowledging and celebrating the contribution that women have made to the development of this city is something we have not been very good at in the past. Let’s hope that this is an indication that things are about to change!

Hotel Wellington

The Hotel Wellington is a well-known icon in the Upper Cuba Precinct. Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, opened the hotel then known as The Peoples Palace in a magnificent ceremony on 13th July 1908. As one of Wellington’s older buildings, the hotel has a heritage listing by both Historic Places Trust and Wellington City Council. A brick structure, the hotel was considered an “architectural safety wonder” in its time.

However, it was classified an earthquake risk in 1995. In 2002/3, renovations took place which strengthened the whole structure to the full modern code. 114 new rooms were built each with bathroom facilities, and the original stairway was replicated. The $7.5 million refit has provided brand new rooms etc, while retaining the 1908 ambience - including the top floor Cuba Street façade that is built in original style. Prime Minister, Helen Clark, reopened the hotel on 13 May 2003.

Since 1990 the building has been owned by Port Nic Properties Ltd whose wish to ensure that this outstanding property remain a vital part of the Cuba Quarter has meant that it is now a fully functioning modern hotel with strong visual and aesthetic links to its past. Rex Nicholls initiated this project and Perry Architects was responsible for the design.

James Hector Memorial Lookout

James Hector Memorial James Hector was born in Edinburgh in 1836. He was one of those extraordinary, multi-talented individuals with which early New Zealand seemed to be particularly blessed. He graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1856, having also studied botany, zoology, and geology.

He was appointed director of the Geological Survey of Otago in 1861. By September 1862 Hector had explored the eastern districts of Otago, visited Central Otago, and accumulated a collection of 500 specimens of rocks, fossils and minerals. During 1863 he extended his investigations to the West Coast, carrying out a double crossing between Milford Sound and Dunedin, a pioneering effort in exploration and geological reconnaissance.

His work in Otago brought his name and talents to the attention of central government and in 1865 he was appointed director of the Geological Survey and Colonial Museum in Wellington. At various periods he was responsible for the Meteorological Department, the Colonial Observatory, the Wellington Time-ball Observatory and from 1868-1891 the Botanic Gardens of Wellington.

During his career Hector received many honours. In 1891 he was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Founder’s Medal. He was appointed chancellor of the University of New Zealand from 1885 to 1903. The New Zealand Institute honoured him in 1911 by establishing the Hector Medal and Prize as their major award for excellence in research.

This project, The James Hector Memorial Lookout, is sited at the Top Triangulation Point in the Botanical Gardens and commemorates Sir James Hector’s contribution to the development of those gardens. The project was initiated by the Friends of the Wgtn. Botanical Garden under its president Ted Woodfield. Charles Gordon from the WCC was the architect.

The memorial consists of 3 parts:

The Steps-represent the climb upwards to the summit
The Cairn-represent achievement - reaching the summit
The Poles represent the growing trees and ongoing life

Oriental Bay Enhancement

Oriental Bay Enhancement The enhancement of Oriental Bay was a collaborative project between Architecture Workshop, Isthmus Group and Tonkin & Taylor, the project was managed and funded by Wellington City Council. A substantial and innovative reworking of the land and seascapes of Oriental Bay, the project involved the creation of three beach areas, with a new pier and peninsula, new changing rooms, a new playground and new seating. Work started on the redevelopment in December 2002, and the beach was officially opened in January 2004.

Christopher Kelly, from Architecture Workshop, was part of the design team for the project. In his architect’s statement, Chris quotes architect Luigi Snozzi, who, he says, ‘has reminded us … that “every architectural intervention represents a destruction”; we should, therefore, “destroy intelligently”‘. Following Snozzi’s advice, the design team continually asked themselves:

How much architectural intervention is necessary in order for the design to work?
How little do we need to do to make this project successful?

Often not enough analysis goes into understanding the quality of what already exists. The redevelopment of Oriental Bay recognises the existing built and natural environment. The new amenities block, for example is excavated into the ground so it becomes part of the landscape wall.
The design team believed it was important that the Rotunda did not become land-locked and came up with a design where the high tide continues to lap against the base of the Rotunda.

Oriental Bay is a place for recreating in all seasons, at all times of the day - sunbathing and swimming, meeting friends and for enjoying ice creams. The new chairs that have been placed along Oriental Parade take into account the fact that sometimes you want to sit with your feet up on the edge of the beach wall and enjoy the view, and at other times you want to sit face to face for a chat. The protected Norfolk Pines have been given new down-lighting and there are even designer rubbish bins!

This project was a joint venture by Architecture Workshop (Christopher Kelly), Isthmus Group (David Irwin) and Tonkin & Taylor (Ed Breese). It was project managed by Bruce Gedes of the Wellington City Council.

Oriental Bay Seascape Mural

This 90m long retaining wall gray and cracking really needed an extreme makeover especially after the Oriental Bay Enhancement was completed. Luckily Eric Holowacz the council’s Community arts coordinator recognized it’s potential and set about organizing what became known as the Oriental Bay Seascape Mural. Wellington artist Ellen Coup painted an underwater scene on the wall, while four other artists, Manuela Adreani, Amy Brennan, Mica Still and Ben Walden, created marine animals on plywood to be attached to the wall.

The artists worked with local marine scientists from NIWA, Te Papa and DOC to ensure the representations of the various creatures were as accurate as possible. To celebrate Conservation Week over a dozen new illustrations were added, making it an even more dynamic depiction of local aquatic flora and fauna. These new additions were created by Jo Thapa, Julian Knapp, Aaron Frater, and Hamish Pilbrow. Informative signs about the creatures on display are an excellent educational tool.

Pedestrians, joggers, sun-bathers, cyclists, young and old have shown interest and enthusiasm in the mural. It’s not unusual to see young children absolutely entranced by the colourful life on the wall. The mural illustrates the very positive spinoffs that can come out of an initial high profile, and beautifully executed, development such as the Oriental Bay Enhancement. It makes a very significant and complementary contribution to the diverse experiences the waterfront already offers. And perhaps more importantly, it establishes the waterfront as an environment where the community is able to be creative in a way that totally affirms itself and the place which has become so special to it.

The mural is a joint project between Wellington City Council and the Department of Conservation. Resene provided discounted paint for the mural, and Benchmark Building Supplies and International Panel and Lumber donated the plywood.

Waititi Landing

Waititi Landing In 2004, the Wellington Tenths Trust worked with the Wellington City Council to develop a park at Wai-titi Landing. Waititi means “the place of shining water” The site was once a waka landing beach used by Te Atiawa and other Taranaki Tribes and Taranaki Whanui in pre-European times, and the park design pays tribute to this heritage.

The Council agreed to the development, on the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, after the Wellington Tenths Trust offered a Gift-of-Significance to the city to recognise the site’s heritage. It now stands proudly as a cultural icon for the people and the City of Wellington.

The Tenths Trust gifted the twin 6.3-metre Pou Whenua (tribal boundary markers) designed by Te Atiawa sculptor Ra Vincent. The Pou Whenua stand as if on the former beach, symbolising upturned waka. The perimeter of the site is landscaped with plantings of native libertia.

The park was designed to create an oasis of calm within the city centre. Its features include:

Phased lighting - suggesting waves along a ground level bridge between the two Pou Whenua
Figures on the Pou Whenua which symbolise the people of the land they stand on
A Kowhai design - reflected on the inner surfaces of the Pou Whenua and representing the wairua (or spirit of the land)
On 13 December 2004, the Wai-titi Landing park was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark, together with representatives of the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Mayor, Kerry Prendergast.

Wellington Rugby Training Centre

Wellington Rugby Training Centre At the end of 1998 the WRFU decided to develop a much needed training facility for the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions. Rugby League Park was identified as an excellent location.

The Interior of the grandstand, which was completely refurbished, now includes new team facilities such as showers, changing and first aid rooms. The most extensive work is the completely new building housing a gym, plunge pools, medical facilities and corporate offices to the south of the grandstand.

The WRFU has designed an extensive landscaping scheme to the east of the grandstand and the new building. Over 250 native trees and shrubs were planted to soften the impact on nearby houses; these include makomako,cabbage trees, karaka, mahoe and pohutukawa. The WCC has continued the planting program along the north and south boundaries.

The Newtown Residents Association who nominated the facility say that whereas in the past this facility was underutilised and prone to vandalism it has now become an asset and provides a focal point for the wider community. The grounds are open to the public so you can take the opportunity to view the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions during training sessions.

Zephyrometer

The 33-metre concrete steel and fiberglass kinetic sculpture by Phil Price known as Zephyrometer is the second in a series of works designed to introduce ‘wind sculpture’ to Wgtn. The first was ‘Pacific Grass” (the winner of the inaugural Civic trust Award in 2002) The third is ‘Tower of Light’. Zephyrometer is located on the corner of Cobham Dr and Evans Bay Parade.

The sign at the sculpture sums up the artists intentions “this wind activated sculpture embraces a number of marine type associations-of masts, dials, speedometers and other instruments used for the measurement of the wind and weather. The movement of the spire also recalls the bobbing of boats and the sway of their masts on the water”. Neil Plimmer, chair of the Sculpture Trust describes the sculpture as “a sophisticated blend of art and engineering, representing a major reinforcement of Wgtn’s objectives to be accepted as the arts capital and as a centre known for innovation and creativity”.

The sheer size of this work means that it has rapidly become a part of Wellington’s consciousness and whetted our appetite for the rest of the series.

Presented to the city in 2003, the wind sculpture concept and series of works is an initiative of the Wgtn. Sculpture Trust. sponsored by Meridian Energy with assistance from the Wellington City Council.

Community Projects

Carlucci Land

Along Happy Valley Rd environmentalist and stonemason Carl Gifford has quietly been creating “Carlucci Land” an anthropomorphic wonderland from huge boulders and recycled scrap. There’s the ’squashed samara’ with the 20-tonne boulder sitting on it, the 3-metre pterodactyl stretching its wings, and tornado man - a hot water cylinder fashioned into a cross between R2D2 and Dorothy’s tin man. There are also more spiritual forms such as the ‘madonna’ in the rock. Then there are the ones with a message such as the ‘axed seal’ which reminds us that not so long ago we used to club seals to death and its time to start looking after the world a little better. On still nights Carlucci Land is a magical place with lights placed under the boulders making the forms even more alive.

Carl has created all this working on his own at all hours of the night and in all weather in between his real work as a stonemason and his landscaping company called ‘Bedrock’ at the entrance to the tip on Happy Valley Rd.

Carlucci comes from the name his grandmother called him when he was a baby “Carlucci Bella” or beautiful Carl. The 56-hectare property will eventually become a recycled theme park and be a showcase for recycling in Wellington to encourage people to do something good with waste byproduct.

Hungarian Memorial Garden/Magyar Millenium Park

Hungarian Memorial The Magyar Millennium Park, situated on the corner of Molesworth and Hawkestone Streets was created by the Hungarian Community of Wellington to promote Hungarian-New Zealand relations and understanding.
It is an expression of Hungarians’ appreciation for their adoptive country and offers future generations of New Zealand Hungarians a visible link to their Hungarian heritage. The garden is filled with shrubs and trees typically found in Hungary in a garden setting and provides a sheltered and contemplative area.

The park has two characteristically Hungarian features: a carved wooden plinth (kopjafa) and a decorative wooden gate (székely kapu). The Kopjafa is the centrepiece in the memorial garden. It is an ornamental carved wooden “pole” - symbolising freedom and the principles that people have sacrificed their lives to defend. Sponsored by the late Honorary Consul-General Paul Szentirmay it was carved by Robert Toth. The Magyar Kapu is the decoratively carved wooden gate which forms the main entrance to the park. The design of the gate features the Hungarian coat of arms, the Transylvanian coat of arms and traditional motifs carved into the pillars, archway and gate. The Magyar Gate is a traditional cultural feature found in many parts of Hungary as entrances to public parks, reserves, cemeteries, cultural centres. It is a gift from the Hungarian government.

Some 200 individuals and families have supported the establishment of this memorial park by having their names engraved on pavers.

“Polish Children” Commemorative Plaque

Polish Children Commemorative Plaque This Plaque was unveiled on Frank Kitts Park on 25 October 2004 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the “Polish Children” in New Zealand. 733 Polish refugee children and their caregivers arrived in Wellington on 31 October 1944 after an incredible journey of endurance and survival from Poland to Siberia, and from Siberia via Persia (Iran) to New Zealand. They arrived on a US troop carrier which was bringing Australian and NZ soldiers home from fighting in the Middle East.

Krystine Tomaszyk, who nominated the Plaque, described in her recently published book Essence the kindness of the Kiwi soldiers on board. According to Krystine, the train journey from Wellington to Pahiatua (where the children were to be housed in a former NZ Army camp) seemed to take a long time because the train stopped at every station with people lining the tracks, some carrying flowers, some holding up their small children. Children dressed in school or scout uniforms waved little NZ and Polish flags. Some people came on board handing out soft drinks and ice creams. After the war many stayed on here and became successful and valued citizens of New Zealand.

The plaque reminds us of the dreadful times these children endured and which children in conflict areas throughout the world continue to endure. But it also testifies to a time when this country opened wide its arms to welcome those so much less fortunate.

The plaque was installed on the initiative of John Roy-Wojciechowski, Honorary Consul for Poland, and his wife Valerie to thank the NZ Government, NZ Army, the Catholic Church and all caregivers, teachers and others who helped them to settle here. The designer of the plaque was Lindsay Missen and the signwriting was done by Frampton house.

Seatoun “Lifestream-Seaform” Sculpture

Seatoun Sculpture Elizabeth Madle remembers growing up in Seatoun in the 50’s , an idyllic era of active youth groups, rock’n'roll and square dances, local garden competitions and Girl Guides. Venues such as the Rio in Miramar, Trams to schools and new espresso machines from Italy.

Elizabeth remembers Seatoun then as “a quite a sleepy little village and very much a community”. Elizabeth decided to commemorate her happy childhood in the seaside suburb by commissioning a sculpture in memory of her parents Bruce and Noyle Brown. The six-metre stainless-steel sculpture Lifestream-Seaform is in the form of a fish tail with cut-outs in the shape of fish.

Wairarapa artist Roger Thompson was the sculpture dedicated in Hector Street. Wellington City Council urban designer Hugh Nicholson co-ordinated the consents and approvals for their gift and located a suitable site.

Signal Boxes Scheme

Seeing the dirty, graffiti covered signal boxes dotted all over Wellington gave Kristelle Plimmer and Eleanor Whyle the inspiration to form Promenade Artists and turn these eyesores into works of art starting with 2 boxes at either end of Mercer St. The response was so favourable that the project received an Arts and Cultural Grant from the City Council which enabled the completion of 10 more boxes – the subject of each draws on some aspect of the surrounding area.

Promenade Artists have coordinated the efforts of the many artists involved and overseen the design process but the artists themselves have been free to create within these parameters. The results are 12 individual works which enhance the city ‘artscape’.

The artwork has been created with material donated by Resenes, Wellington Glass and Ullrich Aluminium.

St Mary’s of the Angels Gardens

St Mary's of the Angels Gardens This garden adjoins St Mary’s of the Angels and overlooks Boulcott St. They provide a welcome area for quite reflection away from the bustle of downtown Wellington, a visual relief from the hard edges of the buildings and incidentally, could provide a much needed refuge for people to congregate in the event of a major earthquake. Before the upgrade the paths were cracked and uneven and the area was subject to vandalism.

The project was a joint effort overseen by the Parish’s Finance Committee. WCC’s landscape architects designed the new layout for the grounds and architectural advisors Bulleyment – Fortune designed the fencing and gates. After the landscaping was completed L.T. McGuiness Ltd installed the new fencing, gates, seats and rubbish bins with parishoners donating individual seats. Funding was provided by The Community Trust of Wellington and the St Mary of the Angel’s Charitable Trust.

So this project is a good example of community, corporate and civic collaboration!

Trelissick Park/Korimako Track Construction

The Trelissick Park development was one of the 2003 Award nominations. The Korimako Track is a further enhancement. The track is located in and around the valleys of the lower Kaiwharawhara Stream and its tributary, the Korimako, and includes the Ngaio Gorge.

The aim of the Trelissick Park management is to protect the spectacular natural features of the gorge landscape and its ecology and to provide a natural area for recreation and enjoyment of its “wilderness character” by the citizens of Wellington and visitors. The Park also acts as a bird corridor between the Harbour and Otari/Wilton’s Bush.

The Korimako Track provides a mainly flat walk which links 2 small tracks which descend from Trelissick Crescent to Korimako Stream with the Northern Walkway.

Volunteers from the Trelissick Park Group lead by Grant Preston-Thomas and assisted by Derek Pope and David Henderson have worked with WCC (Parks and Reserves) to produce a track with a wide variety of scenery and a gradient which makes it suitable for all ages. The volunteers have chipped away a rock face to widen the track, cleared blackberry and placed stepping stones in the stream crossings. Foot bridges are yet to be added.

When members of the Award committee walked the track they were very impressed with this addition to the Trelissick park development. It is a great community project and a tribute to the enthusiasm and hard work of many dedicated volunteers. It was exciting to discover such a wonderful wilderness area, with a sparkling stream, imaginative planting and great picnic spots for families. A great asset for all Wellingtonians and so near to the central city.

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