Sacred Heart restored

Dedicated in 1901 as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and consecrated in 1984 as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Mary His Mother, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Wellington was closed in 2018 after being determined to be earthquake prone.

Following its closure, TEAM Architects was entrusted to lead a $13m refurbishment project, which saw the cathedral reopen in 2024.

“In 2018, the building received an NBS rating of between 12% and 15%, which required it to be closed until sufficient strengthening works were carried out. A work programme was already in the early planning stages to repair the exterior stonework which was deteriorating due to damage from the ongoing effects of wind and rain, while moisture damage was also evident on the interior,” says TEAM Architects’ Principal, Jane Kelly.

While seismic strengthening, in the form of new steel work within the ceiling space and post-tensioned longitudinal cable ties to carry loads from roof to ground, has resulted in a new rating of 50% NBS, and has allowed the cathedral to reopen, the true success is in the works carried out to mitigate moisture ingress and the resulting discoveries.

“Over the years, both the exterior and interior had been overpainted many times, probably as an ill-advised attempt to stop moisture. The result, however, was any moisture that entered the building fabric, through cracks caused by movement or gaps around windows, became trapped and built up over time. This caused stonework to fracture and crumble on both the exterior and interior.

“When remediation work began on the interior of the building, moisture readings were as high as 90% in some areas. Within weeks of starting the work of removing the paint from the interior, those moisture readings dropped dramatically. Oamaru stone will always need monitoring and regular repair but by letting the stone breathe properly, ongoing maintenance in the future will be greatly reduced.”

“Resene offered the reliability, expert advice and specialist products we felt confident would work in key areas, such as on the exterior of our cast iron windows. Given the high winds that at times bring salt-laden rain and other contaminants, we knew Resene had systems that could provide the protection required.

“In terms of the palette, the intent was to work with the Oamaru stone, sitting colours alongside it that would enhance it. The yellow-grey tone of Resene Friar Greystone, applied to the dado of the aisles and the column bases, established a strong base for the building, supporting the natural stone above and soft neutral tones alongside. The other key decision was to use Resene Duck Egg Blue as an accent on the ceiling panels. The ceiling needed to be white to visually lift it and to make the most of the nave’s height but the intricate detail of the Wunderlich pressed metal ceiling panels had been hidden for many years under a solid layer of pink paint. Accenting the flat areas of the panels in blue – a colour always associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus – has served to highlight the beautiful floral details. Overall, the aim was to keep the colours in the spaces simple but to highlight key details and support an atmosphere of calm and prayer.

“We also loved the Resene Gold FX Metallic paint that went on the key eastern façade to pick out the words on the frieze of the portico – historically very important and highly visible across the local area.”

The six-year journey to completion, as is the case with such projects, was filled with ups and downs, however, the future of the cathedral is assured thanks to the detailed documentation of the works carried out during construction leaving a record of what has been done and why for anyone in the future.

For Jane, the journey also marks the continuation of a personal relationship with the building and the parish in which it sits. A favoured element will be a constant reminder of the role she played in restoring the cathedral to its former glory.

“As a member of the parish for more than 20 years, for me personally, the ceiling of the nave and sanctuary is the standout feature. From a dark, flat surface that felt like it was bearing down on you to something that is light and has such beautiful detail – it couldn’t be more dramatic. As you enter, your eye is drawn upwards, first to the warmth of the stone and the regular arched windows then to the ceiling with its floral patterns and the colour behind. It’s a delight.

At a glance

• 125-year-old cathedral undergoes $13m, six-year upgrade

• 2018: NBS rating of between 12% and 15%. 2024: NBS rating of 50%

• Upgrade works included seismic strengthening, new lighting, heating and audio visual systems, repair or replacement of damage stonework, repainting of surfaces including pressed metal ceiling, reinstatement of mosaic flooring and refurbishment of adjacent chapel and foyer.

• Resene products used include: Resene FX Metallic in Resene Solid Gold; Resene X-200; Resene Uracryl 400 series, Resene Lusta-Glo, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen and Bathroom, Resene SpaceCote Flat and Resene Lustacryl in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Eighth Ironsand, Resene Pioneer Red and Resene Friar Greystone.

Colours mentioned in this article

Products mentioned in this article

Photography: Jason Mann Photography

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