Townsend Observatory Tower, Christchurch
Project Info
The Arts Centre and Townsend Observatory Tower were extensively damaged during the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-2012, with the tower suffering catastrophic collapse. DPA Architects acted as Heritage Architects and Consultants for the restoration of the Arts Centre complex of buildings, working alongside the lead architects for the project, Warren and Mahoney.
DPA Architects were awarded a 2023 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Canterbury Heritage Award for the rebuild and restoration of the Observatory Tower, designed in 1896 by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort. Mountfort's original drawings served as invaluable guides throughout the restoration, with his meticulous floor plans, elevations, sections and details enabling a comprehensive 3D digital model of the tower to be developed.
DPA Architects were awarded a 2023 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Canterbury Heritage Award for the rebuild and restoration of the Observatory Tower, designed in 1896 by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort. Mountfort's original drawings served as invaluable guides throughout the restoration, with his meticulous floor plans, elevations, sections and details enabling a comprehensive 3D digital model of the tower to be developed.
Dave Pearson played a key role in determining the original form of the tower to ensure it was accurately reconstructed. Although only the top two-thirds of the tower had collapsed, the lower section was also demolished to allow new concrete foundations to be installed. To fortify the structure against future seismic events, a reinforced concrete core was set within the tower, lined with stone masonry veneer on the outside and brickwork within.
The Observatory Tower’s historic Townsend telescope, an 1864 Cooke 6-inch refractory telescope, has been repaired and installed in the new dome and is once again operational. The restored and seismically upgraded tower and adjoining former Canterbury College biology and physics buildings have been adapted to accommodate The Observatory Hotel. The ground level of the restored tower forms an entrance to the hotel.
2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Merit Award
Photography of completed tower: Sarah Rowlands
Photography of collapsed tower: Graeme Kershaw, University of Canterbury
The Observatory Tower’s historic Townsend telescope, an 1864 Cooke 6-inch refractory telescope, has been repaired and installed in the new dome and is once again operational. The restored and seismically upgraded tower and adjoining former Canterbury College biology and physics buildings have been adapted to accommodate The Observatory Hotel. The ground level of the restored tower forms an entrance to the hotel.
2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Merit Award
Photography of completed tower: Sarah Rowlands
Photography of collapsed tower: Graeme Kershaw, University of Canterbury