Agata Halagarda

Existing Refectory building consists of the original 1930’s concrete/brick structure, the two story timber annex added in 1943, and the link between the two added in 1980. Currently the exterior of all these components read as one; the Link and Annex external appearance imitates the original buildings architectural style. Internally, the proportions and quality of the original Refectory building contrast with the tight spaces in the Annex. The existing Annex and Link building are more recent work, and have little heritage significance and they will be demolished; as they are insufficient in size to meet the brief requirements and require a significant amount of seismic strengthening to the structure. 

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The demolition of these buildings will allow for the construction of a New Office Annex. A glazed link is proposed between existing and new building. This will create a separation between the two structures and allow Refectory building to be understood in its original form, visible from all sides. It will clearly show the new Annex as a new and distinct building with a contemporary architectural language of timber and glass. Timber has been chosen for both the interior structure and exterior cladding as it is and innovative and progressive structural technology and it’s appropriate for the scale of the building. It is also sustainable and local NZ material that gives ‘warm’ feel of the interior space by exposing structural LVL beam and column frames and CLT walls.