NEW DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT.

Warren and Mahoney, together with project partners including landscape designers Wraight Associates, have won the contract to lead the Martinborough Town Hall Community Centre Project with an innovative, contemporary design. The new design will allow the community to enhance and develop existing activities and creates new opportunities for growth into the future.

The winning design unites the existing Town Hall and the new building as a single roof form influenced by the rural language of the shed and the yard. Consistent with the nature of large rural buildings in the area, the new building has been expressed as a ‘lean-to’ or ‘covered yard’. The new alignment of the annex building runs along the back of the site, enveloping the play and park areas and addressing the town square in an inviting way.

Warren and Mahoney Principle Ralph Roberts said the aim was to create a strong civic quality building representing a contemporary design response to the rural nature of the area and a domestic friendliness that relates well to the town.

Inside the building well connected, flexible, multi-use and purpose built spaces deliver economically efficient solutions.

Warren and Mahoney’s proposal was one of three reviewed in detail by the Martinborough Community Centre Construction Committee who undertook a rigorous selection process. Architecture Plus and Architecture Workshop, both based in Wellington, also submitted very strong entries.

“All three proposals inspired us with their creativity and vision – each reflected exciting possibilities for current and future residents and visitors to Martinborough,” said Ro Griffiths, the project’s Construction Committee Chairman. “The Warren and Mahoney team’s concept won the edge in the way their design respects and celebrates our beautiful natural landscape, rich heritage and strong sense of community.”

Mr Griffiths says the new design attempts to create a clearer sight line and physical approach from the Square to the Town Hall and Community Centre. “This may involve some resurfacing of paths, judicial pruning of trees and improved crossings, but the integrity of the Square and its memorials will be preserved for all time.”

Warren and Mahoney is one of the country’s pre-eminent architectural practices. The practice has a sixty year history in New Zealand and has been involved in designing iconic public buildings that are loved, respected and highly used by the communities they serve.

Pat Hill of the Plunket Society is very supportive of the proposed design, “It’s vital that Martinborough draw young families to come and settle here. The way the new centre works, with so many great facilities brought together in one space, means we will draw more mums and babies to visit us

“The library team is very much looking forward to moving into the new space,” says Martinborough Branch Librarian Shirley Nightingale. The light, airy aspect is wonderful and the use of the wood and barn-like structure fits really well with the rural feel of our community. We are very positive about the new opportunities this centre offers for our library services.”