Dear Editor,
The Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) strongly recommends that Hutt City Council reconsiders the proposed demolition of the Lower Hutt Town Hall and Horticultural Hall. These are two of the city’s most important buildings, and have national significance.
The halls, which were designed by two highly regarded architectural firms, are part of a group of exemplary Modern Movement buildings, which are unique in New Zealand, as is their garden setting. The buildings follow the lead of the European modernist architects whose work is now celebrated throughout the world. Our branch awarded Hutt City Council an enduring architecture award for the Civic Centre in 2011, and one of the buildings in the group was awarded an NZIA Gold Medal at the time of its construction.
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The heritage value
of the group of buildings has been recognised by experts in the field,
including the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, the Council itself, and DOCOMOMO,
the international organisation devoted to documenting and conserving Modern
Movement buildings. Around the world, many countries have programmes to
specifically list Modern Movement and more recent buildings. For example, Lloyd’s
of London, designed by Richard Rogers in 1978, is now a Grade 1 listed heritage
building in the UK. We urge the Council to save these buildings. Demolishing the two halls will irreparably damage the Civic Centre group of buildings. It will mean the loss of the best of Hutt’s Modern Movement architecture with its considerable social history. Hutt City doesn’t have to add to this country’s regrettable record of careless demolition. If we fail to value recent heritage, we will have no old heritage.
Yours faithfully,
Luke Allen,
Chair,New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington Branch
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