Focus On | Timaru
Injecting new life into Timaru’s arts district The construction set to be underway in early 2022 for the revamped Theatre Royal and Heritage facility will bring about a muchneeded breath of fresh air into Timaru central, with emphasis on the grand extension of the towns culture and arts district.
During initial planning stages for the project an important decision needed to be concluded on in regard to the appropriate construction approach for the site.
Architecture company Architectus is in charge of the exciting project, renowned for work across the country, being especially monumental in the Christchurch rebuild with work including the Hine-Paka Bus Interchange and the Turanga Central Library.
Jane Rooney is overseeing the project for Architectus and alongside her team planned on exactly how the original Criterion Hotel was going to be retained and successfully integrated into the new design of the theatre.
With a core focus on designing spaces for communities, context and culture, Architectus was the clear choice for this facility.
Three options were established which included, starting from scratch with complete demolition of the site, secondly looking to build a new museum and backstage area whilst retaining and restoring the main auditorium and foyer spaces and lastly, build a new museum and refurbish the entire existing theatre building. United, all councillors involved placed their vote for the second option, which was relatively cost effective and with the mixture of new construction and restoration hopeful in keeping project time at a possible minimum.
Architectus has experience in the careful business of fusing older heritage with new designs, a mixture which can very easily be misinterpreted in the wrong hands. A fantastic exemple of this very ability is demonstrated in the revitalisation of the St Andrews College memorial chapel that was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. The stunning chapel completed in 2016 displays the company’s effortless brilliance in incorporating the past with the present.
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Ian Lockhead from architecture New Zealand reflects on this triumph achievement, noting, “The St Andrew’s Centennial Chapel explodes the modernist myth that integrating new and old building elements will inevitably result in a compromised design.
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“The finely detailed elegance of the new steel and glass structure gains richness and resonance through its juxtaposition with the traditional building materials, repurposed doors and windows and reused furnishings.
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“Such a layering of meaning would have been virtually impossible to achieve in a purely modern design”. Via Timaru District Council, Jane explained how the old and new would exist collectively in a cohesive zone for this facility. 80 | www.canterburytoday.co.nz
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The heritage bluestone walls from the Criterion Hotel will be strengthened and stabilised so they can be retained also the original textured walls will add richness and interest appropriate to the new Heritage Facility.
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“The heritage bluestone walls from the Criterion Hotel will be strengthened and stabilised so they can be retained also the original textured walls will add richness and interest appropriate to the new Heritage Facility.”
The project has a strong support of $11.6 million funding from the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, this funding has been the backing that the council needed to give a final go ahead on the extensive project.
The use of small original elements should not be underestimated, Architectus has a true understanding of this and harnesses these subtle elements to elevate and preserve for future generations to enjoy.
Timaru District Council group manager commercial and strategy, Donna Cross, expressed the intention for centre to be a cultural hub.
The council project manager, Nicole Timmy, outlined on the Timaru Council website that the project was major in terms of size and scope, “the entire complex will cover approximately 4,430 m2, or about 17 standard tennis courts,” she says. “The public facing theatre facilities will remain approximately the same size, but aspects such as the fly floor and the back of house facilities will be improved and changing rooms refurbished. “The new heritage facility will spread across three levels. The ground floor will have a reception area, a temporary exhibition space, function space, back of house facilities and an education and staff support space. The permanent exhibitions will be located on the upper floor.”
“We believe it’s critically important that mana whenua is involved in this process from the ground up. “This approach will help us all create a collective cultural experience that reinforces a sense of history, identity, community and place.’’ Ambitious and innovative, with the cleaver exploration of old and new, collaboration within the Maori community and the big tick of approval from arts and heritage lovers in the local community, the new theatre project is set to impress and becoming highly anticipated for its big reveal. The project is set to be completed in 2023. Locals believe it will be a great asset supporting the continued growth of their local community. CT
