Creating modern connectivity while complementing and respecting nearby historic buildings.

St John’s Theological College is dedicated to training Ministers in the Anglican and Methodist Churches of New Zealand and Polynesia. Boffa Miskell has a long relationship with Trust Investments Management Limited and the St John’s College Trust Board.

The library is central to teaching within the College and to the wider church community, as the largest theological library in New Zealand.

The existing entry was overgrown by mature shrubs which enclosed the entry and obscured the adjacent historic buildings and the view down to the library. In parallel with a project to refurbish the library building itself, the Trust Board engaged Boffa Miskell to address and improve the site design.

Client

St John’s College Trust Board

Location

Auckland

Project team

Sarah Collins

Worked with

Cardno TCB
Clough Associates
Davis Langdon
Page Kirkland
The Specimen Tree Company Ltd
Xsite Architecture Ltd

Project date

2009

Awards

Gold Award - Landscape Design | Commercial / Industrial / Institutional Design Category | NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Awards

The site has a northerly aspect and slopes down to the library. Our design successfully creates two contemplative courtyard spaces set within the College grounds. The courtyards utilize small retaining walls to provide flat paved areas with seating. The new pathway is welcoming and informal. It respects the historic character of the College, while welcoming users to the modern library. The entry path now has a connection into the carpark with steps, a pedestrian road crossing and lighting. The design reflects the materiality of the refurbished library building, while respecting the historic character of the surrounding buildings.

The library entrance is one of many projects we have undertaken at the College. In 1990 we developed the design for areas around the Selwyn Cloisters and Patteson Centre; and in 2002 we developed and tendered the Grounds Maintenance Contract for the College.

In 2005 we designed a litch gate entry and niche wall within the historic cemetery area. This was recognized with a Silver Award in the NZILA Awards in 2006.

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