Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 41 No. 1. February 27 1978

Hunter

Hunter

During the holidays there have been major developments in relation to the conservation of the Hunter Building.

A public meeting in November launched new proposals which have re-opened the issue. No longer is the discussion in terms of total demolition or total preservation, but instead leading architects and engineers working for Friends of Hunter Inc. have persuasively argued that the answer lies in "retro-fitting".

For Hunter this briefly means the demolition and removal of the whole interior of the existing building with the exception of the main entrance stairs area and the law library. The northern and eastern facade would be strengthened and maintained, and joined to a new building of greater floor area built to contemporary structural requirements. The state roof would be removed during re-construction and then replaced. The accompanying diagram more clearly demonstrates the proposals.

This compromise conservation and rebuilding scheme satisfies the attributes of permanence, safety, space and standards of design equal to that of a new building, while preserving the beauty and character of the existing building.

It is impossible to state detailed costs of construction until a full feasibility study has been completed. It is likely that because of savings, for instance in the retention of the existing facade, the cost of the re-constructed building will be substantially the same as that for a totally new building of the same area.

These proposals were given excellent press coverage, while a petition circulated by Friends of Hunter Inc. had gained nearly 10,000 signatures by the end of December. This indicates substantial public support to maintain the building;

At their December 12th meeting, the University Council received a joint deputation from the the NZ Historic Places Trust and Friends of Hunter Inc. With the aid of a three dimensional model, the proposals were explained in detail to the Council who subsequently voted on two vital motions to the following effect:

These are four categories of value shown: (i) Solid black indicates the wall elements which are of the essence of the buildings — to be strenghthened and kept. The black dotted line indicates the extent of the rool system which should be retained — removed of course, to facilitate reconstruction and new construction, but replaced in due course and in as new condition. (ii) Heavy shading indicates those internal spaces — library and start, which, with structural additions in the best possible 20th century manner in order to ensure their earthquake stability, must also be retained. (iii) Checker board shading indicates those internal spaces which are of insufficient value to retain and can be complately rebuilt in new work — with the root put back on afterwards. They about the kept facades and help support them. (iv) Single disgonst shading, the feast dark, indicates those parts which can be completely removed and replaced entirely, to no doubt new height and form and area and functions requirements of the University.

1. (passed 12:8) That the Council's previous decision to demolish the Hunter Building be suspended until full consideration of the new proposals has been given.
2. (passed unanimously) That Friends of Hunter Inc. be briefed to undertake a detailed feasibility study to be presented to the Council by June 1978.

Work is now progressing well on the feasibility study. It is however a costly process and Friends of Hunter Inc. urgently require funds to finance it. NZ Historic Places Trust has donated $5,000, the balance (to a probable total of $20,000) must be raised by public subscription, which means your donation is required now.

Julia Buchanan

Friends of Hunter Inc., P.O. Box 28-028, Wellington

Please find enclosed my donation for $ towards the feasibility study which Friends of Hunter Inc. are undertaking. $1.00 or more entitles me to become a student Friend of Hunter.

Yours faithfully,