Debating ornament on architecture: four recent Wellington case studies

Abstract

This study reflects a personal curiosity about the use of ornament on architecture in general and more specifically its current role. Witnessing the re-emergence of ornament on some recent structures and the restoration of older ornamented façades around Wellington compounded my interest. The opportunity to research such a topic was gladly seized and at the suggestion of my supervisor, I decided to study three Wellington buildings in depth. The buildings chosen were Crown House, Colenzo House and NatWest House. The main purpose of the case studies is to expose the continuing resistance both clients and developers have toward ornamentation. Ways of getting around this by the architect are revealed. The scope of the study is of necessity limited in breadth but the general principles and debates that emerge have far reaching implications. Preparation for research consisted of reading, interviewing and photography. Most reference material was found in the Victoria University Library, with the remainder coming from personal archives. Interviews were conducted with a client, architects and a contractor. It was hoped during the course of study that interviews with those clients responsible for making decisions, with respect to the three buildings formerly mentioned, would be obtained to measure up against the architects' statements. Unfortunately these people no longer work with either C.M.L. or A.M.P., the client bodies in question. Attempts to track them down have failed. So as not to handicap the outcome of the report too much, it was decided to interview Wayne Squires, a client representative for the Hewlett Packard building in Willis Street. The Hewlett Packard Building acts as a fourth but more minor case study and is not covered in as much depth as the three main ones. It is a relevant study however as it follows both Crown House and Colenso House as an office building designed by Athfield Architects and built by Mainzeal Construction Ltd. It also bears ornament. The majority of illustrations are photographs taken during the year around Wellington, adding more relevance and a local flavour to the report. Illustrations of overseas examples were taken from books to help put the local scene in a broader perspective.