Commissioned in 1912 by Onslow Borough Council and designed by noted early NZ architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, the Khandallah Town Hall had suffered from a series of unflattering alterations and a decline in use over the years. Architecture HDT were engaged by WCC to restore the building and upgrade the facilities within to allow flexible and multiple uses for the present and future community.

Archive drawings and photographs, as well as a thorough investigation of the existing building, were used to document the façade restoration. Development on either side of the existing façade is deliberately kept to single storey in height, and set back from the front façade in order that the granduer of the existing building façade is retained.

The restoration of the original deck and balcony structure gives the building a grand street presence, and provides a focal point for the street and wider community. The replacement of the original toplights and reglazing of the entrance doors improves the natural light in the lobby. More importantly, this opening up of the façade at ground floor draws people into a welcoming and spacious lobby. New steps and a disabled ramp at the ground floor level significantly improve the access and relationship to the street.

The interior layout was reconfigured to allow flexible and concurrent use by different user groups. The facility was also upgraded to meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code with respects to access and facilities for the disabled and fire egress. An additional entrance is provided on the western side of the front façade to provide an alternative circulation route to the currently underused stage space at the rear of the building.

At first floor level, the raked circle seating was replaced with a new mezzanine floor allowing this level to be used as a meeting/function space, with NZBC complying stair access and a lift allowing disabled acccess to this level.

It was important for this project that colour selections support and enhance the grand street appearance, rather than compete with it. Exterior colours are chosen from a restrained palette typical of buildings of the time. A number of colour options were prepared during the design phase, in consultation with Wellington City Council’s heritage advisor Vivien Rickard and Resene colour consultant Christine Hawkings. The heritage detailing of the front façade gives it intricacy and interest, and the colour scheme helps give this ‘grand old lady’ of Khandallah new life.

The interior palette is light and soothing with plasterboard walls finished in Resene Zylone Sheen low sheen waterborne paint tinted to Resene Double White Pointer, ceilings in Resene SpaceCote Flat tinted to Resene Half Black White and contrasting trim in Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Gannet Grey and doors in Resene Fuscous Grey.

The interior colour theme continues to the exterior with Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss waterborne paint tinted to Resene Double White Pointer on weatherboards, Resene Fuscous Grey on timber fascias and Resene Half Black White on timber fascias, facings, posts and balustrades. Resene Sonyx 101 tinted to Resene Blackout on timber soffits provides a striking contrast and complements the timber slats finished in Resene Woodsman tinted to Resene Dark Oak. Decking timber is finished in Resene Kwila Timber Stain, which will help to keep it protected and looking good.

Architectural Specifier: Architecture HDT Ltd
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2012

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