Wright and Carman Publishing Building (Former)

Roberts Printing, 177 Vivian Street

177-179 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2012
Cityview GIS 2012
‘177-179 Vivian Street, additions to printing works,’ 1954, 00056:479:B36078, Wellington City Archives.
‘177-179 Vivian Street, additions to printing works,’ 1954, 00056:479:B36078, Wellington City Archives.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 147, 18 December 1943, Page 3.
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 147, 18 December 1943, Page 3.
Map

  • Constructed

    1954

  • Architect(s)

    Roberts and Mercer

  • Builder(s)

  • Built in 1954 as an extension to a former factory, this is an early Modern building with Moderne elements. It has townscape value for the way it effectively ‘turns’ the corner Walter and Vivian Streets.

    The building was built for the printing firm, Wright and Carman, and stands in a district with historic ties to the printing and publishing industry.

    The building has retained a significant amount of its original fabric and therefore has authenticity.
     

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  • close History

    • The printing and publishing trade had been an integral industry in early colonial Wellington, with the city being home to an assortment of bookstores, libraries, newspapers, engravers and bookbinders. In 1900 two former newspaper compositors, Walter John Carman and Robert A. Wright founded the publishing company Wright and Carman.

      Originally this company had operated out of 37 Featherston Street, having taken over a business previously owned by Edwards, Russell and Company. However by 1914 they had purchased property on Vivian Street to which they moved their company. This initial property must have been the ‘original old 2 storey building’ shown on a later plan (1967). Over the years the company purchased adjoining properties on both Vivian and Walter Street in order to expand their premises. The Walter Street area also became the location for other printing firms, with the government printing offices being located next to Wright and Carman.

      The printing factory underwent new development in 1954 with the construction of an adjoining building on the corner of Vivian and Walter Streets. It was built to house the printing works on the ground floor, the lino type department on the first floor and a store room on the third floor. In 1955 further extensions facing Walter Street were made to this building.

      In 1969 the factory became the site of Roberts Printing Company.

      In 1985 the company demolished the original Vivian Street building in order to make way for a new addition to the 1954 corner building. Today, under new ownership, the two buildings appear to operate as separate premises. Despite this, the companies which have occupied the 1954 corner building still remain connected to the printing trade.


    • Modifications close
      • 1951
      • 175 Convert to office (00056:418:B32071)
      • 1954
      • 177-179 Additions to printing works (00056:479:B36078)
      • 1955
      • 177-179 Factory additions (00056:521:B38764)
      • 1978
      • 175 Reinstatement of building (00058:1166:C50221)
      • 1985
      • 175 Demolish commercial building (00059:0:D171)
      • 1985
      • 175 Factory extension (00059:0:D1269)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1914
      • Wright and Carman Limited
      • 1969
      • Roberts Printing Co. Limited
      • 1998
      • Winspears Gallery/Workshop
      • 2012
      • Graphica Limited
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The building shows the influence of the sources of modernism – Le Corbusier, Mendelssohn and Adolf Loos. The curved corner, in particular, is perhaps a reference to Eric Mendelssohn’s own works. The building appears to be a hybrid of Moderne and Modernism. The former is evident in its simple geometric streamlined forms, asymmetrical massing and extensive use of glass and blocks.


    • Materials close

      Reinforced concrete

      Glass blocks

    • Setting close

      The building is situated on the edge of Vivian Street and Walter Street. To the east, along Vivian Street, it is adjoined by a modern building which was built in 1985 as an extension to replace the original factory building. Adjoining it to the south, along Walter Street, is the former Government printing building which has since been turned into apartments. To the west, the building is separated by Walter Street from the remaining buildings on Vivian Street. This block of Vivian Street contains an eclectic mixture of buildings, from nondescript modern structures to significant heritage buildings at or near the Cuba Street intersection.

  • close Cultural Value

    Built in 1954 as an extension to a former factory, this is an early Modern building with Moderne elements. It has townscape value for the way it effectively ‘turns’ the corner Walter and Vivian Streets.

    The building was built for the printing firm, Wright and Carman, and stands in a district with historic ties to the printing and publishing industry.

    The building has retained a significant amount of its original fabric and therefore has authenticity.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        Originally built as an extension to a now demolished building, this building has architectural value as it is a good example of an early Modern building with Moderne flourishes.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        The building is located next to the former government printing offices and collectively they have a historic association with the printing and publishing trade in Walter Street.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The building has townscape value for the elegant way in which its curved architectural style effectively ‘turns the corner’ from Vivian to Water Street.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        The building is associated with Wright and Carman Limited, an important New Zealand publishing company.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        The building is located in the Central City archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

    • Social Value close

      Not assessed

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        The corner of the building has retained its exterior fabric therefore it has authenticity.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      16/ 323

    • Legal Description

      LOT 1 DP 58799

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not registered

    • Archaeological Site

      Central City NZAA R27/270

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      124 Notice

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 7/3/2017 10:07:46 PM