“Travelling Codes.” Nigel Isaacs: Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington

The following article is taken from the latest HPA Oculus Newsletter (2017-07).

Travelling Codes.

In March 1921, American mining engineer Herbert Hoover became US Secretary of Commerce. One of his early actions was to establish a "Building Code Committee" with a goal of improving the productivity of house construction. In July 1922 the Committee reported its “Recommended Minimum Requirements for Small Dwelling Construction”, a widely distributed, compact booklet.

In New Zealand, also in March 1921, a recent graduate of the University of Auckland was appointed as the first Engineer of Forest Products in the new Forestry Department. In 1923, A.R. (known as Pat) Entrican was set to work reviewing the many building by-laws with a goal of supporting the more efficient use of native timber. He soon set up a national conference to develop a standard national building by-law which in Wellington in June 1924.

As a model for the NZ conference, Entrican used the US publication, modifying it to suit NZ conditions. The NZ Conference recommendations were widely distributed and generally adopted, even before the 1931 Napier earthquake. (more…)

The Box112 Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018 : Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Heritage | Pam Wilson

Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018 Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Heritage | Pam Wilson

This special award is to posthumously honour a noted heritage professional and campaigner. Pam Wilson has manifested this role in numerous ways through her enduring commitment to the Ngaio Marsh House, Riccarton House, the Nurses’ Chapel and the important role she played in promoting a more professional approach to the management of heritage in the region. Pam Wilson passed away this year and her advocacy and deep knowledge of heritage is sadly missed.

Historic Places Canterbury: The Video Of the CCC 2107 Annual Plan Submission

Historic Places Canterbury (HPC) requested that it wishes to speak to its written Annual Plan Submission 2017 to Christchurch City council.
Due to scheduling mistake HPC was not included in a time slot for the Hearings set aside by the C.C.C. HPC was granted a slot during a regular Council meeting. You can see the video of  HPC Chair Mark Gerrard speaking to the submission at the following link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmcm0ElbD8w -(The presentation starts 10 minutes 37 seconds in.)

Warning: One of then HPC requests  is "Councillors we need more (heritage) hype!"

 

Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018 : Public Realm – Saved and Restored Award

Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018 :

Public Realm - Saved and Restored Award    - Proudly sponsored by Mapei

Winner:

The Clock Tower, The Arts Centre of Christchurch
Entrant: The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust
One of the central city’s most significant landmarks, the Clock Tower Block at the Arts Centre of Christchurch was designed by colonial architect Benjamin Mountfort for Canterbury College, later the University of Canterbury, in 1877. Damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes the Clock Tower block has been restored and fully strengthened by the Arts Centre’s team with careful attention to the minutiae of detail to ensure that its built form and patina of age have remained intact. As the entry stated the restoration has matched the Clock Tower’s “…status in civic life and communal memory.”

Highly Commended: (more…)

“Assistance for Heritage / Earthquake Prone Buildings in New Zealand” : Peter Dowell – Developer and Investor in Heritage Buildings.

The Following article written by Peter Dowell appears in the latest HPA Oculus Newsletter.

Assistance for Heritage / Earthquake Prone Buildings in New Zealand

Over the last seven years since the Earthquakes on Christchurch (September 2010 & February 2011), Seddon (July 2013) & Kaikoura (November 2016) Heritage NZ, MBIE and local authorities have been working hard to assist building owners to make buildings in our cities more resilient to earthquakes.

In 2013 MBIE began a multi-year, work programme in response to the Royal Commission recommendations. While some work has been completed, other work, in particular research and collaboration, will be sustained and contribute to the development of better standards and guidance over time.

Especially since the Seddon earthquake local authorities have taken broader steps to assist building owners to be pro-active in fast forwarding the strengthening of their buildings to help keep their tenants and to be able to seek bank funding for building works. (more…)

The Box112 Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018: Seismic Award

Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018: Seismic Award- Proudly sponsored by  CERES NZ

Equal Winners:

Statue of Captain Robert Falcon Scott
Entrant: Christchurch City Council
The statue of Captain Robert Falcon Scott commemorates the Polar Party who perished on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912. The statue is of international importance with considerable historic, artistic, cultural and social significance. Using internationally leading and innovative engineering techniques the statue has been meticulously conserved, repaired and seismically strengthened. Without such care and attention the statue, that now sits proudly on its original site, would likely have been lost.

Holy Innocents, Mt Peel
Entrant: Church Property Trustees
This highly significant church built in 1869 and associated with the early settler Acland family was badly damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes. It was considered a total loss.

The Heritage NZ and Timaru District Council listed church is in an isolated location creating major problems for its strengthening and partial reconstruction. These included a lack of services, difficulty for transport of building supplies, and the need to work over winter. The commitment of the whole team is evident in the innovation and excellence of the design and its implementation so that the heritage values of the church have been maintained. It is now more able to survive similar earthquakes so that future generations can experience and enjoy its magnificent qualities.

Highly Commended: (more…)

Historic Places Hawke’s Bay AGM : Sunday 27 August 2017 Time: 2:00 pm

An Opportunity to Visit the new Blyth Performing Arts Centre at Iona College AGM of Historic Places Hawke’s Bay

Date: Sunday 27 August 2017 Time: 2:00 pm

Venue: The Blyth Performing Arts Centre at Iona College

Transport: Please make your own transport arrangements to get to the College at 42 Lucknow Road, Havelock North. (more…)

Historic Places Mid Canterbury- Wins “Outstanding Contribution to Heritage” @ Canterbury Heritge Awards 2018

Historic Places Mid Canterbury were announced winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Heritage category at the Canterbury Heritage Awards 2018.

The citation from the Awards website is the following:

"Outstanding Contribution to Heritage

Historic Places Mid-Canterbury generates community awareness, appreciation and retention of historic buildings and sites that have social and heritage value for the Mid Canterbury community.  They have successfully manned regular displays, heritage bus trips, Living Heritage articles in local newspapers, a yearly summer Garden Party in historic surrounds and regular newsletters.  They have now recently introduced the Blue Plaque Project.  This is gaining approval and interest from other heritage groups and building owners throughout Canterbury."

“Winter Wedding Fair at Highwic” June 24 (Heritage New Zealand Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

Coming up – the Winter Wedding Fair at Highwic.

Winter Wedding Fair at Highwic

 

The historic mansion, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, will host a Wedding Fair that will include some of the best wedding professionals in Auckland.

“Organising a wedding can be a daunting prospect, and the idea behind the Winter Wedding Fair is to make things as easy as possible for people planning to get married,” says Highwic’s Visitor Coordinator Samantha Keen, who has many years’ experience in planning weddings.

“People can come along for the day and talk to a range of people involved in different aspects of weddings. They can also enjoy exploring beautiful Highwic, and strolling in our four-star garden. We want to make the experience as pleasant as possible with none of the stress.”

Exhibitors include professional photographers, wedding cake-makers, wedding gowns and a lot more. Special discounts will also be available to people on the day.

Admission: $5 per person, pay at the door. Free entry before midday. For more information visit http://www.heritage.org.nz/news-and-events/events/winter-wedding-fair