2023 Wellington Architecture Awards Winner
Wesley Church seismic strengthening and refurbishment
Other than the renewal of the lean-to link/lobby on the north side of the church, which has an attractive modern aluminium and glass curtain wall and replanned internal space, it is difficult to discern what work has been undertaken here. Design skill cleverly conceals new elements. To ensure their reuse, all weatherboards and timber trim were carefully removed from the external buttresses, as was the internal match lining. The new steel structure was installed within the buttress cavity and connected to a new concrete torsion beam in the ground. Together, they provide the main lateral stiffness for seismic strengthening. With the timber carefully reinstated, and repainting and reroofing in heritage colours, the church has been given a new lease on life.
- Practice
- architecture + and Paul Cummack, Heritage Architect in association
- Category
- Heritage
- Location
- Wellington
