Donald Street, Karori, Wellington City
Wellington City Community Halls
Architect William Toomath with this complex created a Karori icon. Constructed over the period 1965-73 it has now. as was the other architectural master-work in the suburb, the Futuna Chapel, been deserted by its owners, Victoria University. Hopefully as with Futuna it will be rescued to serve another day. Toomath sought to create a community in the complex of buildings making up the college. It is a steep site with a 12 metre drop from East to West. Bush landscaping now occupies spaces between buildings with birds being the only occupants. However some of the facilities are used by the Karori community.
Apart from lecture theatres, an acoustically designed hall, specialist music rooms, and a library contribute to the complex. There is a Guy Ngan statue in the courtyard.
The ongoing debate on the complex's future was featured on the Architectural Centre website
In December 2017 it was announced the complex had been sold to Ryman Healthcare for a retirement village. How much of William Toomath's work remains has yet to be seen.
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