Heritage

Seddon Memorial

Location

Wellington

Client

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Date

2018-2022

The Seddon Memorial in Wellington, built 1908-1910, stands tall above the tree tops in honour of the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon (1845-1906), New Zealand’s longest serving Prime Minister. The design is a reinforced concrete column faced with Coromandel granite, mounted over a concrete crypt, complete with a life size bronze figure at the top, which represents the State in mourning for its dead.

Conservation
Drones
Condition Report
Repairs
Marble
Bronze
Seismic Strengthening
Memorials
Monuments

Salmond Reed Architects was initially commissioned to undertake a measured survey, drone photography and a thorough inspection to assess the condition of the Memorial and produce a conservation statement; in particular in relation to longstanding issues of water ingress to the structure. Detailed historic research was undertaken to fully understand the monument’s significance and history of repairs.

In 2019, Salmond Reed Architects produced a detailed specification of conservation works and coordinated the seismic assessment. During 2021 and 2022, the physical restoration and seismic upgrade was undertaken in 2 phases and involved installation of a structural steel frame in the Crypt and central void, installation of 17 post-tension tie rods, cleaning and conservation repairs to bronze, granite and marble, repairs and painting of the perimeter wall and railings. This complex, challenging project was successfully completed in December 2022.

More projects

The remaining Sunderland Avenue houses follow close behind 2 Sunderland Avenue and complete the group of former air-base houses redeveloped by Willis Bond & Co in Auckland's masterplanned residential community, Hobsonville Point.

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.

The Chapel, designed by Gummer Ford and Partners and constructed by Sargeant Construction Company, serves as a quiet place for prayer or contemplation.

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Address

Level 4, Landmark House
187 Queen Street
Auckland CBD 1010

Mailing
PO Box 105929, Auckland City 1143