Lyttelton Timeball Station
Project info
The Lyttelton Timeball Station was built in 1847 from volcanic stone using prison labour. It is one of only two purpose-built freestanding timeballs in the world, and at the time of its destruction was one of just five functioning timeball stations globally.
The distinctive monument, with a commanding outlook over Lyttelton Harbour, suffered devastating damage during the September 2010 and February 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. The station was reduced to rubble, the tower toppled and the timeball sent crashing to the ground. While the station could not be rebuilt in its entirety, the tower and timeball were reconstructed and repaired, and the foundations of the station building were consolidated.
The distinctive monument, with a commanding outlook over Lyttelton Harbour, suffered devastating damage during the September 2010 and February 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. The station was reduced to rubble, the tower toppled and the timeball sent crashing to the ground. While the station could not be rebuilt in its entirety, the tower and timeball were reconstructed and repaired, and the foundations of the station building were consolidated.
DPA Architects used sophisticated 3D digital technology to scan, document and reassemble the unique structure. Stones from the original tower were retrieved and pinned to a new earthquake-resistant core. The timber-framed timeball was repaired, sealed with a new zinc skin, and repainted in its original yellow and red colours.
The ambitious project received an Award of Merit at the 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and has seen a much-loved landmark returned to Lyttelton.
Photography: Sarah Rowlands
The ambitious project received an Award of Merit at the 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and has seen a much-loved landmark returned to Lyttelton.
Photography: Sarah Rowlands
