This cottage dates from the early 20th century and was once the Police Station and Oyster Inspector’s house, when the greatest concentration of Waiheke residents was at the eastern ‘Bottom End’ of the island. It was a largely self-sufficient community providing service to the active coastal trade of the Hauraki Gulf, and beyond to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Based on the recommendations and policies embodied in that report, the practice undertook the specification and management of major exterior refurbishment, which included extensive stonework repairs, a new slate roof and the removal, re-leading and reinstatement of all the windows (except for the stained glass to east and west ends). This work involved exacting manual draughting work to illustrate and locate all the existing stonework and architectural detailing.
Several years later we were again engaged to oversee re-wiring of the church – a major job, which was followed by installation of new interior lighting, which received an international lighting award.
The success of these projects established a lasting working relationship between St Matthews Parish and Salmond Reed Architects, which has, more recently, been consolidated by our management of the installation of a new Willis pipe organ in the original purpose- built organ loft and our completion of the much acclaimed restoration of St Thomas’ Chapel within the south transept of the church.
Work continues on other areas of the Church and its surrounds.
