HMNZS Olphert

Not assessed

• unknown
• Crown - New Zealand Defence Force

Not assessed

The HMNZS Olphert is a substantial two-storey building located at the rear of the Defence complex on Buckle Street. This building is positioned on the site with clear space on all sides. It has four main elevations, with the north (with main entrance), and west (Taranaki Street entrance) being the most significant. The southern elevation is partly obscured by the adjoining student apartments, and the short east wall has the most of the visible external building services. The site slopes gently from east to west along the length of the building, which is set on a plinth that starts close to the ground at the east and finished around half a storey high at the west.

The building is made up of a rectangular plan, with rectangular elevations and section, relieved by a large hipped corrugated iron roof and low-key architectural details on the elevations. The walls are smooth plastered concrete, with horizontal bands formed in the plasterwork. The exterior joinery is timber with double hung windows with unequal sashes and substantial panelled doors to the main entrances.

The main architectural features are concentrated at the two principle entrances. Other elements of interest are the strong horizontal lines formed by the roof parapet and banding in the plasterwork and the completely regular and symmetric pattern of windows in the facades and generally symmetrical composition of the building. The windows are typically arranged in pairs and have a strong vertical proportion that contrasts with the horizontal lines of the building.

The main entrance of the building is approached from the north side of the building, with the central part of the façade being set slightly forward of the main building line and projects slightly above the main parapet line to create a frame for the entrance. There is a central flagpole with a moulded boss projecting out from the façade, a triple window is set at the first floor level, and a G.R coat of arms is set into the façade above the entrance which is framed by a moulded plaster architrave.

The Taranaki Street façade is somewhat plain in comparison, its most notable feature it the broad stair in two flights that runs from the footpath to the main entrance. This entrance is set back in the façade and trimmed with a moulded plaster architrave; it features a pair of timber French doors with raised panels and glazed over lights. The entrance is flanked by double hung windows. At the first floor are three double hung windows, centred above the door and the two lower windows. At basement level casement windows are centred on the other windows.

Internally the layout of the building is original, but many of the surface finishes are modern. Prominent in the interior is a modern suspended mineral fibre tile ceiling that was installed to conceal structural earthquake strengthening elements.

The building is overall fairly plain in style with some visible influence of the Moderne and Art Deco architectural styles, which contrasts with the more conservative Edwardian joinery and opening proportions.

Concrete

Timber

Corrugated Iron

The immediate setting of this building is a busy and prominent intersection although HMNZS Olphert is set at the back edge of the section. It is partially masked by the prominent brick General Army Headquarters that it sited on the true corner of Taranaki and Buckle Streets.

More broadly the setting of this building is the National War Memorial and Carillon which rises above the site. The Carillon is particularly dominant and the former National Art Gallery and Museum has a marked presence as well.

The wider setting is the southern part of Te Aro and the northern part of Mount Cook that supports a vast range of building types and uses.

• 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?

  HMNZS Olphert is a functional military building that is relatively plain in style, but which benefits from the influence of the Moderne and Art Deco architectural styles. The building is notable for its strong horizontal lines, for its regular pattern of rectangular windows, and for its simple rectangular plan-form. It is typical and representative of the austere public buildings that were built in the post Great Depression/WWII era.

• 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?

  This building is of significant group value. The building is part of a group of military related structures on the corner of Buckle and Taranaki Streets. This is the only surviving portion of Mt Cook land still in defence hands. Together with the Former Defence Stores building to the west and the former Mt Cook Police Station (on the corner of Tory Street) this building is part of a complex that was once dominated by large brick structures. The building shares an historical connection with other sites on Mt Cook, including the former Dominion Museum and the vacant land opposite, once the site of the Army drill hall.

• 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?

  This building has some townscape value, but is set back from the street and partially masked by the more-prominent brick General Army Headquarters. The building is likely to benefit, to some extent, from the improvements to the landscape currently under construction at the nearby Memorial Park site (2014).

• Association

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

  This building has historic value due to its association with the Department of Defence as it became the headquarters of the Army’s Defence Transport Services sometime during World War Two and continued to be used by the army following the war. In the late 1970s the building was referred to as the Home Command Building and was used by the Defence Services Transport Pool. It is currently home to the naval reserve and the Wellington branch of the Ex-Royal Naval men’s Association continuing its connection with the military.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

  This building is associated with the New Zealand military and navy and World War II.
  

• Archaeological

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

  Puke Ahu – non listed Maori site of significance. Central City archaeological site reference NZAA R27/270.

• Identity/Sense Of Place/Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The building should be considered in a wider context with other military structures on Mt Cook such as the Carillon which act as a reminder of Mt Cook’s former military past. In this way it contributes to the overall sense of place.

• Public Esteem

  Is the item held in high public esteem?

  The National War Memorial is the focus of the Nation’s Anzac day commemorations. The buildings in the area around the newly-created ‘Memorial Park’ will come under public scrutiny during the upcoming events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. This defence force building is likely to increase in status, and in public esteem, as a result of these works and the subsequent public events.

• Symbolic/Commemorative/Traditional/Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The building should be considered in a wider context with past military uses of Mt Cook and with landmarks such as the National War Memorial Carillon.

• 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?

  As original plans cannot be seen it is difficult to ascertain the authenticity of this building. It would appear to have had few exterior modifications.

• Representative

  Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

  This building is a good representative of a utilitarian military building from the post-Great Depression/World War II era.

• Importance

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  This building is significant at a local level as a utilitarian military building. As a part of a group of related buildings its importance is increased, particularly within the wider context of the military, police, museum history of Mt Cook, and the nearby Carillon and National War Memorial - which act as a reminder of Mt Cook’s former military past. As a part of this group it becomes of national importance, contributing to the continuation of the association between this area and the defence forces.

Not assessed

• Murray, Russell. HMNZS Olphert Building, Cnr of Buckle and Taranaki Streets. Wellington City Council: Unpublished report. Prepared for Plan Change 53, 2005.
• Wellington City Council, “Former GOC Building,” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. Wellington City Council, 2001.
• W 1 23/32 Pt.2. Archives New Zealand

• Inventory Report

Not available