In March 2023, the Winter Gardens were fully re-opened to the public following a complex two-year project to seismically upgrade and undertake major repairs and improvements to the glasshouses and wider site. The repairs and strengthening works were complex and required a number of changes to the structures, which have been carried out with the utmost care and attention to detail to ensure that the heritage values of the place have been protected and enhanced. This icon site has been conserved for the future. This has been accomplished on time and within the original estimates on behalf of Auckland Council.
Internal additions and piece meal adaptations over the years had blocked natural connections between the north (1929 building) and south (1960’s building) leading to a poor visitor experience due to lack of orientation. The Kauri Bowl designed by Noel Lane Architects, completed in 2006, had become partially hidden by later additions including a staircase to first floor offices and partitions forming the special exhibitions gallery. This project reconsiders the use of the South Atrium, links it to the new circulation loop, and makes changes to the south entrance to increase its physical capacity to handle the increased flow of visitors.
Salmond Reed Architects is proud to have been part of this collaborative project, acting as Heritage Consultants to the Museum. We have worked alongside design architects Jasmax since 2015, from the initial design stage to completion of the works on site. Throughout the contract works Salmond Reed acted as close liaison between the Museum, Jasmax, Holmes Structural and Holmes Fire Engineers, Auckland Council Heritage and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Salmond Reed’s input has ensured that layers of history have been retained and significant heritage fabric has been refurbished. The result has been a highly successful piecing in of the new and the old creating a further layer in the history of this special building.
