HH-15: Stone House

Location and Zoning Information

Address

83 Tirau St, Putāruru

Current Owner

S Thomas

Legal Description

Lot 3 DPS 535

Zoning

Commercial Zone

Valuation Number

0541835000

Google Maps Link

Lat:-38.047233, Long:175.781136

Architecture

Date of Construction

Started May 1939 and occupied March 1940.

Materials

Stone (volcanic tuff) block with tile roof.

Architecture/Engineer/Builder

Architect: Government department architect. Builders: Harper, Rayson and O'Toole. Bricklayer: W Bush of Matamata

Condition

Good. Fully fenced. Stone has been painted over. (HNZPT).

Original Site Recommendation

HNZPT Ref: 4274. Heritage Advisor, HNZPT.

Current Use

Private residence

Statement of Significance

(1 Historical) - reflects important or representative aspects of South Waikato history, Labour government social programme; associated with Labour Government housing scheme 1935-1950. (4 Commemorative) - Event person or idea; local builders Harper, Rayson and O'Toole, bricklayer W Bush.  (10 Architectural) - is an important example of construction using particular material, example of construction of this type of house using a particular material, locally quarried volcanic tuff. Design not altered. Special elements - tile roof and volcanic tuff. (11 Context) - forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex, one of three state houses (83, 85, 87 Tirau St) forming a streetscape complex. (12 Rarity) - unique to the area. (13 Integrity) - has a good level of integrity of construction materials, not altered except painting of stone.

District Plan Rules

Demolition -DIS.  Protection focus - 1, 3, 10, 11 and 12. Mitigate the effects of demolition by requiring the applicant to provide Historical Building Documentation (HBD) which should include: the structure history, photographic documentation and measurements of the item prior to removal.

Alterations necessary for the primary purpose of improving structural performance, fire safety or physical access – CON -Refer to HH-R2.  Other Additions/Alterations - DIS.  Protection focus - 10, 11, 12 and 13. Effects can be mitigated/remedied through; a) HBD - See mitigating the effects of demolition. b) Design rules: 1.The overall visual character/shape of the original building should be identifiable. The addition should not dominate the existing building. 2.New work should be restricted to the rear of the building and not be evident from the road frontage. 3. Special elements that are associated with the rarity or architectural uniqueness or craftsmanship of the structure should be retained. c) Building Materials Rule: If repair of the buildings is proposed the materials used for the exterior walls should be similar in type, dimensions and profile as the existing exterior fabric of the building.

Repair of the Structure - DIS - stone (volcanic tuff) and tiles. Permitted  - all other materials. Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 10. Building Materials Rule: If repair of the buildings is proposed the materials used for the exterior walls should be similar in type, dimensions and profile as the existing exterior fabric of the building. Note: Replacement of the roof should be with tile roofing. Design Rule: Repair or replication work should match the existing design and profile of element.

Re-use/Change of Use - PER. Refer to HH-R1.  Protection focus - 1.

Internal Changes - PER.

Relocation - DIS. Protection focus - 1, 11 and 12.

Disturbance of the site surface/earthworks - Note: Any place that was associated with human activity prior to 1900 and is able to provide evidence relating to the history of New Zealand is an 'archaeological site' (refer to definition of 'archaeological site' in Section 2 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014). All archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 and approval from Heritage New Zealand must be obtained prior to destroying, damaging or modifying any site. Accordingly, where this site on which a building is located is an 'archaeological site' and the building is to be repaired, added to, relocated or demolished and this involves disturbance to the surface and/or subsurface of the site, approval from Heritage New Zealand is required.

Surrounds - Protection extends to cover Silk Tree (albizia julibrissin) and American Arbor-Vitae (thuja occidentalis).  DIS consent required for tree removal. (normal gardening, pruning and maintenance of tree health is permitted)

History

Built in 1939 these state houses are unique to the area as they are constructed from locally quarried volcanic tuff. (HNZPT). The house was built for the dam workers. The stones came from the creek near the (now) Lichfield Dairy Co. (Public consultation).

Built to standard plan by local builder from State Advances Corp design book plans referenced from Building the NZ Dream, G Fergusson 1994.