August 23, 2016
DOC to destroy Maori architectural masterpiece
The Institute of Architects is challenging the Department of Conservation’s decision to demolish a significant building by New Zealand’s first registered Maori architect.
The late John Scott designed the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre at Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera in 1976.
It’s a Category One Historic Place, but it has been vacant since 2008.
Institute president Christina van Bohemen says Mr Scott was an outstanding figure in twentieth century New Zealand architecture and the centre is one of his most significant works.
It strongly expresses some of the defining characteristics of his architecture: concern for the land, a sensitive approach to site, and an innovative fusion of modern architecture and Maori building and design traditions.
She says it’s appalling that DOC deputy director general Mervyn English is using the department’s lack of maintenance of the building as the excuse to pull it down, and there are ways to restore Aniwaniwa and find a use for it.
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