82 | Henderson Building T T Kelly Deeks Redefining a heritage school building The two-storey, north-facing house has an irregular rectangular footprint and gabled roof forms, bracketed eaves, decorative quoins, square and faceted bay windows, and double-hung sash windows BUILDING Award-winning Timaru construction firm Henderson Building has made it to the halfway point of an exciting heritage restoration project set to return one of the city’s historically significant buildings, Shand House at Craighead Diocesan School, back to full functioning after being out of use since the Christchurch earthquakes. Shand House was Craighead School when the school was first founded in 1911, by sisters and teachers Eleanor, Fanny, Elizabeth and Anna Shand. Built in 1875 in what was then the countryside outside of central Timaru, Shand House brings cultural value to Timaru as a demonstration of the way of life of its former residents. It brings architectural significance as an example of the Italianate villa style designed by local engineer and architect Thomas Roberts, and technical and craftsmanship significance for its construction and Italianate detailing. The two-storey, north-facing house has an irregular rectangular footprint and gabled roof forms, bracketed eaves, decorative quoins, square and faceted bay windows, and double-hung sash windows with corbels over some. Situated close by the school’s boarding accommodation facilities, its earthquake strengthening and restoration is set to redefine Shand House as the main boarding house reception, where boarders and their families will be welcomed to the school. Shand House is one part of a larger project at Craighead Diocesan School for Henderson Building, which is also completing an extension to the senior boarding wing, soon to be renamed as the Rhodes Wing. Henderson Building managing director Shane Bray says Shand House’s heritage listing means its exterior has hardly been changed at all. Its double-sash windows have been retro-fitted with double glazing into the existing timber frames, insulation has been added under its timber floor, and a special FRG strengthening plaster system from Italy has been used on internal bricks. Henderson Building has had tight site access to contend with on this project, so getting the tilt slabs in for the dorm extension required slow and careful driving with a lot of helpful eyes on the ground keeping a look out for clearance issues. Shane says the welcoming and unperturbed school community of Craighead Diocesan School’s staff and students are doing an excellent job of handling any noise and disruption. “They’ve been brilliant to work with,” he says. “Nothing is a problem for them, they’re just getting on with it and they’re excited to get their building back. It’s been out of action for nearly 15 years so it’s really going to change things for the school.” Henderson Building is no stranger to education projects, but has only completed a handful of heritage projects, and none to this scale. But this is a company that’s going places, having recently competed against significantly more high-calibre construction companies in the 2024 Registered Master Builders House of the Year for Canterbury, rather than South Canterbury, and taking out a Top 100 award and the Supreme House of the Year under $1m award. “We weren’t sure how we would go against the Canterbury guys, so we’re extremely proud to have won, and to have built this home for our clients. Our team put in a huge effort to make this project award-winning standard,” Shane says WALLBOARD STOPPING AND INTERIOR PLASTERING INTUMESCENT FIRE RETARDANT SYSTEMS ROOF COATINGS AND MAINTENANCE INDUSTRIAL AND EPOXY COATING SYSTEMS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PAINTING AND DECORATING CONCRETE CUTTING AND DRILLING CONCRETE GRINDING AND POLISHING RESIN AND SPECIALIST FLOOR TOPPING 0800 RANGER EXPERT TEAM EXPERT KNOWLEDGE QUALITY RESULTS www.ranger.co.nz coatings@ranger.co.nz • ELECTRICAL • COMMUNICATIONS • SECURITY • DOMESTIC • COMMERCIAL • FIRE • INDUSTRIAL • HEAT PUMPS • THERMAL IMAGING • PLUMBING Ph: (03) 688 53 58 WWW.AOTEAELECTRIC.CO.NZ
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