Accolades roll in

Post-quake restoration and conservation at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre has again been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO recently announced awards for just eight of the 52 entries in the Asia-Pacific region ranging from entire city districts to individual buildings. Three in China, two in India, one in Thailand, one in Japan, and the Observatory Tower at The Arts Centre were the recipients.

This is the second Cultural Heritage Conservation merit award for The Arts Centre, with the restoration of the Great Hall and Clock Tower receiving one in 2017. The jury citation for the Observatory Tower Conservation Project reads: “The rebuilding of the 1896 Observatory Tower after its devastation in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake is notable for its technical achievements that have enabled the revival and continuation of the landmark’s original scientific and educational mission. The reconstruction of the tower and cupola with seismic reinforcement was well executed, based on careful research and extensive materials testing. The technically complex reinstatement of the historic telescope to working order has allowed the building to return to its original use as a place of discovery of the southern skies. The project represents another chapter in the post-disaster recovery of The Arts Centre and of the historic city core of Christchurch.”

Key partners in the project were: DPA Architects (heritage architecture), Jenny May (heritage consultant), Warren and Mahoney (architecture), Holmes Group (project management
and engineering), Rhodes + Associates (Quantity Surveyors), and Leighs Construction.