HH-32: Putāruru Post Office

Location and Zoning Information

Address

1-25 Kensington St, Putāruru.

Cnr of Tirau St & Kensington St, Putāruru

Current Owner

Country Star Properties Ltd

Legal Description

Lot 1 DPS 57699 Blk IV Putāruru Village

Zoning

Town Centre Zone

Valuation Number

0541759602 

Google Maps Link

Lat:-38.049717, Long:175.780042

Architecture

Date of Construction

1968. Opened on 19 June 1970.

Materials

Constructed of thin pre-cast concrete shells which were joined on site with a concrete in-fill. The entire roof surface was weather proofed by elastomeric coating which covers an area of approx. 18,000sq ft. Roof drainage handled by a single down-pipe system at the extremities of lower arches. Crown shaped with a central dome. Roof comprised of thin concrete arches radiating from a central dome. The arches are arranged in two concentric rows, one lower than the other thus creating a crown shaped effect. When the arches are viewed from the interior the fourteen upper arches radiate like spokes from a central hub. The roof form gives the building its notable appearance and provides excellent natural lighting. Roof windows: Each arch contains 4 rectangular single glass windows set in aluminium/steel? frames. Roof Verges: Semi-circular concrete arches. Doors: Sliding and casement with one over one glass

Architecture/Engineer/Builder

FGF Sheppard, Government Architect.

Condition

Excellent. Some internal changes to suit use as a museum. Main foyer intact.

Original Site Recommendation

Public consultation confirmed by Heritage Advisor, NZHPT.

Current Use

Food Court and Café

Statement of Significance

(1 Historical) - reflects important or representative aspects of South Waikato, part of postal history in district/government services. Associated with communication and postal history. (3 Community Association) - was associated with events, persons, or ideas of importance in South Waikato history; has important community association and public esteem, history as a post office/post bank part of daily community life. (6 Educationall) - has potential to educate public about history of South Waikato, current use as a museum provides the potential for educational use/public access; heritage trail/school programme/postal history tour, etc. (9 Technologica) - is an important example of construction using particular construction methods, roof is associated with innovation-use of a fluid applied membrane of Neoprene/Hypalon; use of a thin concrete shell to provide structural strength. (10 Architectural) - is of important design, unusual design to fit site, innovative use of materials. Exterior visual aspects include unusual shape (round), roof-crown shape, notable fenestration in roof openings that provides natural light; internal foyer under crown roof strong part of design. (11 Context) - forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex, strong landscape feature/landmark. (12 Rarity) - is a rare type of historic place, rare design, only post office in NZ with round floor plan and crown shaped roof. Rarity linked to design type and technology. (13 Integrity) - has a good level of integrity, relationship of surrounding buildings/townscape/landscape.

District Plan Rules

Demolition - DIS.  Protection focus - 1,3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. 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. To mitigate the loss of a rare building type, emphasis should be placed on recording how the building operated as a post office.

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 - 3, 6, 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 frontages. Additions restricted to link structure (enclosed corridors at the back of the building) to provide internal access to any adjacent buildings at the rear of the Post Office. Visual aspects to considered that relate to history, landscape/landmark, public views. The design and landmark qualities of the building should not be compromised by a linked building addition. 3. The following special elements that are associated with the rarity or architectural uniqueness or craftsmanship of the structure should be retained: Elements of the Post Office that should be retained are those elements associated with its historic use as a rare type of building, i.e. exterior walls, openings, construction materials and any other elements identified in the Historic Building Documentation. c) Building Materials Rule: If the 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 - PER. Refer to HH-R1  Protection focus - 9, 10, 12 and 13. Building Materials Rule: If repair of the building is proposed the materials used for the exterior walls and elements should be similar in type, dimensions and profile as the existing exterior fabric of the building, i.e. brick, metal framed windows etc. 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, 3, 6 and 12.

Internal Changes  - DIS. Protection focus - 10 - Post Office only? Design Rule: Significant interior spaces and use areas should be identifiable. a) Modification of the Post Office central foyer is not ruled out. b) Modification of the other internal spaces surrounding the Post Office foyer is allowed but alterations must be documented and not detract from the heritage values.

Relocation - DIS. Protection focus - 9, 10, 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 - include an identifiable context for the building and to ensure open space retained - further research required for boiler room and bike shed?

History

Only post office in New Zealand that has a round floor plan and crown shaped roof. Postal and Government Services provided to District including mail, telephone, telegraph, banking, auto registration and marriage certificates. Designed in a circular shape to make best use of acute angle section between Tirau and Kensington Streets. Replaced the 1912 post office. (A Simmons 19/02/01).

Land use consent for building alterations was granted in 2010 to facilitate conversion from a café/museum into a food court.