King Street façade

The brief called for the refurbishment of the façade of an existing 1970s commercial building located in the heart of central New Plymouth's burgeoning cultural precinct, which includes award winning buildings such as Puke Ariki Museum and Library complex, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery – and the city's iconic TSB Showplace Theatre.

The desire was to not only provide an interesting and effective sculptural palette to the required commercial signage but take the initiative in a broader sense and enhance a lane that, although eclectic and vibrant in nature, has been slightly overlooked in the evolution of the city – and thus provide an aspirational development cue which celebrates the essence of this active lane.

The sculptural form climbs the external façade spanning three floors, framed between two columns and the large office windows to either side. This portion of façade is painted in a rich violet hue, which offers bold flashes of colour which seep out from behind the screens form.

The screen, in bronzed anodised aluminium, incorporates folded facets, which are reminiscent of origami and make reference to the sun shades that cap the existing windows. These faceted shapes are bent to varying degrees over the height of the façade, creating a play of shadows by day and gradually exposing an opulent glowing display of blue light after dark.

Blurring the boundaries between public art and architecture, this design solution captures the bold personality of the surrounding area through the use of sculptural form and opulent colour. The design provides a real 'stop and take notice' opportunity in the heart of New Plymouth's CBD.

Architectural Specifier: Glenn Brebner and Alison Gwerder
Building Contractor: Street and Cook Construction
Photographer: Chris Hill Photographer
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2012

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