82 | Matthews & Matthews Architects ARCHITECTURE T T Anne Boswell Matthews & Matthews Architects Toitoi Municipal Building Hastings main entry. Photo by Simon Cartwright. Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd.’s design concept to bring ‘light and life’ back into a beloved community heritage building hit the nail on the head, earning the practice a 2024 Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay Architecture Heritage Award for its work on the Hastings Toitoi Municipal Building. Established in 2000 by Antony and Jane Matthews, M&M Architects specialises in architectural conservation of heritage buildings, as well as general architectural services including residential new homes, commercial buildings and community projects, on a small to medium scale. Associate architect Justin Matthews says a Hastings District Council competition to select a local architect to create a design concept for the building’s refurbishment piqued their interest back in 2018. “As it was the type of work we do and enjoy, we thought the project was right up our alley,” Justin says. “With Antony and I having grown up in Hastings, we had a strong affiliation with this building: we attended school balls and theatre shows there. It was kind of a full circle moment.” M&M Architects went through a vigorous selection and public consultation process before its design concept was officially chosen for the project. For four years M&M Architects worked on the project, which included a significant amount of structural engineering and interior and exterior refurbishment. “When we became involved, a strengthening design had already been carried out but the strengthening work had not yet started on site,” Justin says. “A significant part of our role was to oversee the integration and co-ordination of the architectural and structural strengthening designs, to ensure the structural designs would fit the architectural concepts.” Justin says the overarching concept for the building was to reinstate its role as a loved and well-utilised public space. “We wanted to enhance the public interface, so we reinstated the shop fronts on the ground floor and created a number of new pathways throughout the building,” he says. “A lot of the interior refurbishment was opening up the space: opening up the entrance foyer and reinstating the double height ceilings, and reinstating the windows on the western side of the main ballroom to bring light and life back into the building.” The success of the project was highlighted by the judges of the 2024 Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay Architecture Awards, who stated: This seismic upgrading and redevelopment project has been honoured as an exemplary fusion of heritage preservation and seismic resilience. Celebrated as one of Hastings’ cherished landmarks, the project brilliantly reintegrates the building into the community fabric by revitalising its original essence while enhancing safety measures. Skilfully blending vital enhancements with the restoration of its architectural charm, the design invites natural light and fosters connection within the vibrant urban landscape. By reactivating pedestrian spaces and preserving local heritage, the project epitomises the commitment of Hastings District Council and community to their urban heritage. “We feel very proud to have been involved • Fibrous Plaster Manufacturer and Installation • Supply, Fix and Stop Gib Board • Commercial • Domestic • New & Existing ATLAS FIBROUS PLASTER CO. Proud to be associated with Matthews & Matthews Architects / Gemco Construction Proud to manufacture, reproduce and restore the fibrous plastering and new architectural designed aspects to the job. 309 Eastbourne Street West, Hastings Ph (06) 878 3693 Mob 027 7446 4038 Email office@atlasfp.co.nz in the history of this significant community building,” Justin says. “We worked with a great group of people including Hastings District Council staff, cultural mentor and artist Dena Aroha Bach and Gemco Construction Manager Eddie Holmes.”
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