Connected by design

Thomas Battle designs in Wanganui

Today, these three icons of the past are protected with modern neutral colour schemes, cleverly combining the need for colour palettes sympathetic with the original architecture and style with the need to bring the buildings into life in the 21st century.

Thomas Battle has left a precious legacy of architectural design in Wanganui, a subset of which has recently been refurbished to protect his design work. Much of the current decorating work falls under the auspices of the 'Preserving the heritage of Wanganui project' designed to help building owners protect and restore heritage buildings.

Built in 1920, the impressive reinforced concrete building at 149 Victoria Ave retains its original parapets. Dr Robert Earle and his wife owned many sections in this part of town and his trustees erected this building, which is why it was known for many years as Earle's Building. In 1949 Wanganui's first radio station, 2XA, moved into the top floor where it remained for some years. In 1952 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance moved into the building adding the distinctive letters 'CML' to the façade.

Briefed to retain the subtle features but bring the colour scheme into the current day and age, a dead flat mineral effect finish of Resene AquaShield was selected tinted to varying strengths of Resene Napa (grey beige neutral), from full strength on the cornice and pilaster, through to Resene Half Napa (muted neutral) on the main walls and Resene Quarter Napa (greyed neutral) on sashes. The flat finish has imparted an intense sense of solidity and the built in water repellency of Resene AquaShield is helping to dispel pollutants as time passes.

Just a stone's throw across the road, Salek's Building now features a complementary dead flat Resene AquaShield mineral effect finish to Earle's Building. Once a lacklustre white, the new grey inspired palette of Resene Grey Nickel (pale grey) on main walls, Resene Silver Sand (grey silver) on sashes and Resene Friar Grey (stone grey) on cornice and pilaster provides a sympathetic soulful look with timeless appeal.

Built in 1908, for the trustees of Morris Salek, whose family were leading members of the local Jewish community, the building retains its distinctive windows. A greengrocery was established in the corner shop in the 1920s and by the late 1950s the T&G Mutual Life Assurance Company had offices. There was also a Ladies Rest in the building on Guyton Street until the new conveniences were built in St Hill Street in 1930.

Completing the trio of design, the Braves Softball Club Rooms had a veritable feast of features crying out for feature colours and accents. The exterior is finished in Resene Sonyx 101 waterborne semi-gloss with main walls and window frames finished in Resene Grey Olive (mid greened brown), fascias, soffits and corbel brackets on the lower level finished in Resene Double Grey Olive (green beige), Resene window sashes finished in Resene Quarter Grey Olive (beige olive) and upper level fascias, soffits and corbel brackets finished in Resene Masala (murky grey brown). A combination of complex neutral and contrasting neutral hues brings out the architectural features without overwhelming the design.

Built in 1912 as a Tea Kiosk at Castlecliff, the Borough Council built the tea rooms, much used by people who took the tram to the seaside at weekends. The Council sold the kiosk in 1922 but it continued to be run privately until the 1930s when it was shifted to its current site off Puriri Street. It then served as the Gonville Sanatorium until the 1960s, later being turned into service as the clubrooms for the Braves Softball Club.

Today, these three icons of the past are protected with modern neutral colour schemes, cleverly combining the need for colour palettes sympathetic with the original architecture and style with the need to bring the buildings into life in the 21^st century.

History: Provided by Wendy Pettigrew, Wanganui heritage researcher
Painting Contractor Alan Tong Ltd
Resene: Wanganui, Preserving the heritage of Wanganui project (Earle's and Salek's Buildings), On behalf of Wanganui District Council (Braves Softball Rooms)
From the Resene News – issue 1/2008

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