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August 2023

Updates from the project

The Developed Design has formally progressed since the last newsletter, with the design being updated to include the agreed items raised in the Public Consultation.

Southbase are on board as the design and build contractor and have commenced design team meetings. They are currently updating their structural modelling and architectural drawings to be put through the structural and fire peer review processes.

The 50% developed design is due to be completed by the end of this month. This will be the first iteration of documents that show any additional items arising from the public consultation.

Developed design is the evolution of the concept design into a dimensionally correct and co-ordinated design. It describes all of the main components of the building and how they fit together and provide sufficient information for statutory approvals to begin. These will be also be utilised by our quantity surveyor and Southbase to check the cost assumptions to date.

Southbase are also in the process of updating their documentation in preparation for lodgement of the Resource Consent application for the main build project.

Rebuilt in stone and brick

Meet the architect who some say, practically rebuilt Timaru’s centre, in stone and brick, including the Criterion.

Imagine you arrived in Timaru in the late 1850s. People from all over the world have made the move to Timaru to set up shops, warehouses, banks and churches. By 1868 the population has grown to 1000, and the sea trade has found a rhythm by the shore.

Then boom, in just three hours a devastating fire rages through the commercial centre of Timaru, and reduces three-quarters of the wooden buildings to ashes.

What to do now? Where to start? It must have felt so daunting. The locals have dusted themselves off and this time decided to build stronger, with stone and brick.

Architect, builder and politician, Francis Wilson was in the right place at the right time, ready to help. For 30 years he will made a significant contribution to the built heritage in Timaru, and gained the reputation as the architect who “practically rebuilt Timaru after the big fire” - Death of Mr F. J. Wilson, Architect. Poverty Bay Herald, 21 April 1911, P5

Many of the buildings Francis helped to create still stand today, some almost unchanged, others look quite different.

Francis owned,designed and built The Criterion Hotel. Was involved in many buildings design and construction in and around Stafford Street, Timaru Main School, and homes,shops, warehouses, and churches in Timaru District.

As well as offering his architectural and carpentry skills, Francis was a councillor for11 years and contributed to early and important decisions that enabled Timaru and the wider area to work, live and thrive.

He and his wife Emily raised ten children. Four generations of architects followed in his footsteps.

Today his work is celebrated across New Zealand and Australia.

So next time you walk around the buildings in CBD of Timaru, picture what it was like to be involved in creating them. How the architects and contractors helped Timaru rebuild from the aftermath of a devastating fire. Imagine, being in the right place at the right time.

Read the full story on Pānui here: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/news/culture-and-lifestyle/rebuilt-in-stone-and-brick

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