b'gold standarddid you know? Resene CosmicResene developed a set of colour guidelines in conjunction with leading conservation architect Ian Bowman which reflect various historical periods, culminating in the creation of the Resene Heritage colour chart. For those wishing to recreate historically-accurate colour schemes from an earlier era, its an ideal place to start. Order a chart free online at www.resene.com/specifierorder. to identify a range of exterior and interior colours that suited the historicmaterialsanddetailsthroughouttheproject,including Resene Triple Merino, Resene Eighth Friar Greystone, Resene Grey Friars, Resene Black White, Resene Rakaia and Resene Half Putty.Janesaysthatrecoveringoriginalqualitiesofnaturallight through reinstated windows, light wells and connection to the laneway was also integral to the project. The interior of the Hastings Municipal Building was originally light and airy, with white ceilings and walls and varnished timber joinery and trims. Interior colours were investigated on-site through scrape backs and with reference to written descriptions and available historic photos.EarlycoloursevidentintheShakespeareRoomand Assembly Ballroom involved soft natural colours, including pale ochre and pale terracotta. Our approach was to reflect the early appearance of the building with some adaptationtaking into account changes over time. Consideration was also given to thecolour palette has recoveredparticularly at street levelwhereJane complimented the skilled painting of the new and historicdust and dampness, which makes for a less than ideal environment forDespite the outbreak of a global pandemic during construction,opposite and above: The Assembly Ballroom (opposite) may have relationship of proposed exterior colours to the adjacent historicthe original shopfronts with recessed entries have been reinstated.materials and decorative details, including the original fibrousthe workers. When youre doing things so carefully, the duration ofEddie felt the timing of one of New Zealands stricter Covid-19undergone the biggest transformation of the entire project. A dining Opera House and the surrounding Central Character Precinct. The beautiful green Middle Earth tiles are also a very close matchplasterdetailing,pressedmetalceilingsandjoinery,revealingthe project ends up being quite long and those are difficult conditionslockdowns offered at least some positive benefits. The lockdownroom that was constructed eight years after the building opened Minimising the effects of the structural strengthening on theto those originally used at the base of the shopfronts, adds Jane. thebeautyoftheseelements.ItwasGemcoConstructionto be in day in and day out for the better part of three years. was a fantastic time to give the guys a break, but then we alsopreviously obstructed many of the windows. Now, the spaces rhythmic heritage qualities of the building was another a key part of theThe Municipal Building was built for the community andwho completed both the build and painting on the project, andBecause the interior plaster systems were failing in the areashad an uninterrupted period where we were able to go back tobalance and many fine details are easy for all to see as the space is once project. In such a highly decorative and ornamental building,its an important part of the shared memory of Hastings. ItConstruction Manager Eddie Holmes believes it was perhaps thewhere we hadnt poured the new structure, the old paint was fallingwork before others were and that made some things easier. Andagain flooded in light. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Half Putty was used to bring colour to the back of the stage and above this was a complex and challenging design process, says Jane.is amazing to see it strengthened both literally and in termsmost challenging but also the most rewarding job of his career. off, so we had to effectively go back to brick and start again in orderbecause we use a lot of commercial products, we werent upthe dado line. Other walls, ceiling and architectural details painted in New structural elements were carefully designed to minimiseof the role it plays in the life of the city. Our concept beganThere were an awful lot of challenges, he says. Logistics areto paint it. It was a huge job, but it all went really well. There wereagainst the same types of shortages that residential projects wereResene Zylone Sheen, Resene SpaceCote Flat and Resene Ceiling Paint the removal of original heritage fabric. Strengthening works havewith a story of light: to bring back the light and energy of thealways a big one, because youre working within the confines of aalso some very intricate pressed metal ceilings and cornices that hadbecause the special runs we needed were still available. We weretinted to Resene Black White and skirting and trims in Resene Lustacryl been concealed or designed and detailed to meld with the originalcommunity. Recovering its lightness is such a great outcome.building with very small spaces and having to load in a lot of steel andto be rebuilt because of water damage over the years. It was very,able to pre-order and adjust our plans accordingly. semi-gloss tinted to Resene Rakaia. The Shakespeare Room (above), building, maintaining the quality of the heritage spaces. HistoricReinstating lightwells has allowed natural light to welcome youreinforcing concreteand also having to get in there to physicallyvery challenging to get it back to a place where we could apply theFor Eddie, one of the best outcomes was in the Assemblywhich originally served as the council chambers, was painted in the same fabric and detailing throughout the building have been retained asin and through the building, and to connect to the wonderfulbox in the formwork. With this type of work, we sometimes have tonew paint system. Resene guided us on what products to use to fillBallroom. The original building was built in 1916, and then in 1924Resene colours and products to match the Assembly Ballroom.original or reinstated where needed. Opera Lane. Being able to see through the building now, withdo invasive exploration to see what the structure is actually comprisedin the chips, and Im just so impressed with how the pressed ceilingthey added a dining room on. In doing so, they blocked all theResene Resene Resene EighthThe team was unquestionably successful in this pursuit, andnatural light on both sides, has really made the building moreof so that the strengthening can be donebut it has to be doneand cornices came up. Because they dont make the same ones nowwindows and doors down one side of the ballroom and it madeBlack White Half Putty Friar Greystonesome have commented that the building might be even betteraccessible and easier to navigate. The project has made it anin such a way to disguise it and fit in with the style of the originalas they did back then, we had to take down some sections, makeit very unbalanced and a lot darker. We demolished the diningResene Resene Resenenow than the day it opened in 1917. We love the lightness that theinviting place to visit and use. architecture. Of course, it also creates an awful amount of noise andmoulds of them and recast thembut you wouldnt even know it. room and put steel doors and windows in to match and it justTriple Merino Rakaia Grey Friars16 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 17'