Connected by design - Thomas Battle designs in Wanganui
Thomas Battle has left a precious legacy of architectural design
in Wanganui, a subset of which has recently been refurbished to
protect his design work. Much of the current decorating work falls
under the auspices of the 'Preserving the heritage of Wanganui
project' designed to help building owners protect and restore
heritage buildings.
Built in 1920, the impressive reinforced concrete building at
149 Victoria Ave retains its original parapets. Dr Robert Earle
and his wife owned many sections in this part of town and his
trustees erected this building, which is why it was known for
many years as Earle's Building. In 1949 Wanganui's first radio
station, 2XA, moved into the top floor where it remained for some
years. In 1952 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance moved into the building
adding the distinctive letters 'CML' to the façade.
Briefed to retain the subtle features but bring the colour scheme
into the current day and age, a dead flat mineral effect finish
of Resene AquaShield was selected tinted to varying strengths
of Resene Napa (grey beige neutral), from full strength on the
cornice and pilaster, through to Resene Half Napa (muted neutral)
on the main walls and Resene Quarter Napa (greyed neutral) on
sashes. The flat finish has imparted an intense sense of solidity
and the built in water repellency of Resene AquaShield is helping
to dispel pollutants as time passes.
Just a stone's throw across the road, Salek's Building now features
a complementary dead flat Resene AquaShield mineral effect finish
to Earle's Building. Once a lacklustre white, the new grey inspired
palette of Resene Grey Nickel (pale grey) on main walls, Resene
Silver Sand (grey silver) on sashes and Resene Friar Grey (stone
grey) on cornice and pilaster provides a sympathetic soulful look
with timeless appeal.
Built in 1908, for the trustees of Morris Salek, whose family
were leading members of the local Jewish community, the building
retains its distinctive windows. A greengrocery was established
in the corner shop in the 1920s and by the late 1950s the T&G
Mutual Life Assurance Company had offices. There was also a Ladies
Rest in the building on Guyton Street until the new conveniences
were built in St Hill Street in 1930.
Completing the trio of design, the Braves Softball Club Rooms
had a veritable feast of features crying out for feature colours
and accents. The exterior is finished in Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne
semi-gloss with main walls and window frames finished in Resene
Grey Olive (mid greened brown), fascias, soffits and corbel brackets
on the lower level finished in Resene Double Grey Olive (green
beige), Resene window sashes finished in Resene Quarter Grey Olive (beige olive) and upper level fascias, soffits and corbel brackets
finished in Resene Masala (murky grey brown). A combination of
complex neutral and contrasting neutral hues brings out the architectural
features without overwhelming the design.
Built in 1912 as a Tea Kiosk at Castlecliff, the Borough Council
built the tea rooms, much used by people who took the tram to
the seaside at weekends. The Council sold the kiosk in 1922 but
it continued to be run privately until the 1930s when it was shifted
to its current site off Puriri Street. It then served as the Gonville
Sanatorium until the 1960s, later being turned into service as
the clubrooms for the Braves Softball Club.
Today, these three icons of the past are protected with modern
neutral colour schemes, cleverly combining the need for colour
palettes sympathetic with the original architecture and style
with the need to bring the buildings into life in the 21st
century.
History: Provided by Wendy Pettigrew, Wanganui heritage researcher
Painting Contractor Alan Tong Ltd
Resene: Wanganui, Preserving the heritage of Wanganui project
(Earle's and Salek's Buildings), On behalf of Wanganui District
Council (Braves Softball Rooms)
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