Hollard Centre building wins award

A new building at one of Taranaki's premier heritage properties has won architectural plaudits for the sensitivity and appropriateness of its design.

The Hollard Centre, an all-weather information centre and events venue at Hollard Gardens, Kaponga, was recognised by the NZ Institute of Architects last month with a Local Architecture Award to Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architects Ltd of New Plymouth.

Opened in September 2013, the Hollard Centre is built on the site of the original homestead of Bernie and Rose Hollard, who founded the 4.5ha gardens and built up its world-ranked plant collection.

The original floor and its markings have been retained, and visitors can see where the homestead's walls and rooms were.

The award citation describes the Hollard Centre as a pavilion of natural materials which nestles into the surrounding natural environment. "Transition spaces from inside to out blur the line of interior versus exterior space. A warm palette of materials carry on inside to unify the main space of the open-plan pavilion. A richness is created with memories of the previous accommodation embedded into the new structure," the citation says.

Architect Glenn Brebner says designing the centre was a sensitive and respectful project.

"The new structure replaces Bernie and Rose's house in a pride-of-place location overlooking new and old garden areas," he says. "It had to be a tribute to their passion and pragmatism, and an enduring part of the Hollards experience."

Hollard Gardens is now owned and administered by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region.

The Council's Regional Gardens Manager, Greg Rine, says the architects understood the brief well and it was a pleasure to work with them and the building contractors.

"One of the reasons the centre has enjoyed so much public support and use since it opened is because it is so well designed. From the day it opened, it's been a natural part of the overall visitor experience," he says.

Intended primarily as an information centre for garden visitors and a venue for garden workshops, the Hollard Centre is also available for other public and private events.

As well as extensive interpretative material and seating for up to 100 people, it houses a library, kitchenette, projector and screen, and other facilities.

For more information about Hollard Gardens and the Hollard Centre, go to www.hollardgardens.info