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HERITAGE ASSESSMENT REPORT

King Edward Technical College

Heritage Assessment Report for Historic Heritage1

King Edward Technical High School showing Art School and Domestic Wing upper right of photograph, 1958, AG-763-044/014, Hocken Collections.

Susan Irvine30 October 2009

SCOPEThis report concerns the heritage value of three buildings at 136 Tennyson Street. These are the Dunedin Art School, the Marlow building and the Patrick building. Originally these buildings were part of the King Edward Technical College. In the 1960s ownership transferred to the Otago Polytechnic. The Art School is located on the corner of York Place and Tennyson Street, with a wing which runs down part of the length of York Place. On Tennyson Street, the Marlow building is an extension to the Art School. The Patrick building is a later extension to the Marlow building. Together they run half the length of Tennyson Street. [Refer to map in Appendix 1 for further information].

Name: King Edward Technical College

Other Names: King Edward High SchoolDunedin Art School

Address

136 Tennyson StreetDunedinOtago

Current Legal Description

Lot 1, DP 24486 Dunedin (CT16B/1135), Otago Land District

Other heritage identification

NZHPT Registration of King Edward Technical College, 291 Stuart Street, Dunedin [Record no. 4712]

The Dunedin District Plan identifies King Edward Technical College in its list of Townscape and Heritage Building and Structures – Schedule 25.1 as site B578.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Documentary Evidence and AnalysisThe three buildings at 136 Tennyson Street are part of the original King Edward Technical College (KETC), the largest secondary school in New Zealand for over twenty years.1. The Art School, on the corner of York Place and Tennyson Street, was built in 1937 and designed by the Government Architect John Mair. The Marlow building, built in 1947 as the new domestic wing, was similarly designed by Mair. The Patrick Building was designed by Mandeno and Fraser, as were the earlier portions of KETC, and opened in 1968. With internationally prominent teachers, the Art School was a training

1 Otago Daily Times (ODT), 18 May 1985


ground for the likes of Colin McCahon and became the springboard for New Zealand modernism. When the three buildings were taken over by the Otago Polytechnic in 1963, the Marlow and buildings became the foundation of the Department of Hospitality and Services. Later the department extended into the Patrick building where it established a training restaurant named for KETC’s most famous student, Joseph Mellor. The restaurant became a popular public eatery. The buildings were vacated by the Polytechnic in mid-2009.

In 1888 George M. Thomson called a meeting to discuss instituting adult tech-nical evening classes in Dunedin.2 Second only to the Wellington School of Design, the Dunedin Technical School was founded in 1889.3 Such was the suc-cess of these classes that in 1914 a purpose-built technical college was opened on Stuart Street. It was built at a cost of £32,000 by William McLellan.4 Harry Mandeno designed the school, his first large commission, and he continued to be the architect of choice for the new King Edward Technical College (KETC).5 Mandeno and Fraser became a highly significant firm of Dunedin architects, and their designs included the Dunedin Town Hall and the Central Fire Station.

The School ran evening classes as well as a day school. The core subjects were english, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education. Students also had a choice of courses in building, joinery, cabinet-making, engineering, shorthand, book-keeping, typing, needlework, cooking and dress-making.6 The School, however, was constantly under space pressures. The building was so crowded that pupils had to stand during assemblies as there was not enough room to sit.7 Indeed from 1949, KETC held a twenty year record as the biggest secondary school in New Zealand.8 In 1955 it had a school roll of 1300. Including the evening classes, the total roll was 2,500.9

In 1918 Burt Hall was added to the site. In 1923 the Thomson Wing, named after founder and ex-principal George M. Thomson, was also added. Mandeno was the architect of both additions.10 In April 1935 the Board first planned to extend its site so that three of the four boundaries (Stuart Street, York Place and Tennyson Street) would be covered with school buildings, leaving open areas in the centre.11 In 1937 the School expanded on to the Tennyson Street frontage for the first time. The new addition was the Dunedin Art School.

The Dunedin School of Arts was founded in 1870 when the services of David Con Hutton were secured by the Otago Education Board. In 1921 the Art

2 Dunedin Weekender, 7 Apr 1985, p.8.3 Abbott, M., ‘The Origins of Technical Education in New Zealand’, URL: http://www.crie.org.nz/research_paper/M.Abbott_H.D_OP2.3.pdf, accessed 4 Nov 2009.4 ODT, 18 May 1985 and King Edward Technical College jubilee booklet, Dunedin, The College, [1939], p. 8.5 Knight, Hardwicke & Wales, Niel, Buildings of Dunedin: an illustrated architectural guide to New Zealand's victorian city, Dunedin, John McIndoe, 1988, p. 165.6 ODT, 18 May 19857 ODT, 18 May 19858 ODT, 18 May 19859 Hughes, Elma, ‘A New Site – An Old School; a written and pictorial history of King Edward Technical and Logan Park High School’, Elma Hughes Estate. Records relating to the King Edward Technical College 75th Jubilee. AG-754-03, Hocken Collections, p. 9.10 Erection of Thomson Wing, King Edward Technical College [Building specifications], King Edward Technical College Records AG-763-48/004, Hocken Collections.11 ‘Special report upon next extension to the College Buildings’, 13 October 1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.


http://www.crie.org.nz/research_paper/M.Abbott_H.D_OP2.3.pdf

School was officially incorporated as a department of KETC. For ten years the Art Department moved around various areas of the main building. In 1937 the purpose-built Art School was opened on the corner of Tennyson Street and York Place.12

This School became the springboard for a whole new generation of New Zealand’s most influential artists. They formed the first cell of indigenous Modernism.13 Lessons included modeling, art crafts, art needlework, landscape, design and poster work.14 Among the first pupils to enrol in 1937 was Colin McCahon15. Other students included Anne Hamblett, later McCahon’s wife, Doris Lusk and Patrick Hayman. Prior to the erection of the new School, Toss Wollaston and Rodney Kennedy had also attended art classes at KETC.16

These eminent artists were highly influenced by the art teachers who were well-known artists in their own right. W.H. Allen and R.N. Field, brought to the College through the La Trobe scheme, introduced New Zealand to British post-impressionism and heavily influenced both McCahon and Woollaston. It was Field, in particular, whose reputation saw artists visit from all over New Zealand in order ‘to discover the vision that was informing Europe and contributing so much to the modern world’.17 Other influential teachers included Gordon Tovey, Frank Staub, J. D. Charlton Edgar and Helen M. Moran.18 The impact of the Art School, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s, was extremely significant both in providing new ideas and in the students it influenced. Although there were a few other art schools in New Zealand, including the prominent Elam School of Art, it has been written that no other art school in the country was held in the same regard.19

The Art School building was partially funded by a substantial grant from the Government.20 As the Project was in the hands of the Public Works Depart-ment, the plans were designed by the Government Architect, John Mair (1876-1959).21 The Board’s architects of choice, Mandeno and Fraser, were appar-ently retained only to organise the site and design the retaining walls neces-sary for the erection of the School.22

12 King Edward Technical College jubilee booklet, p. 12.13 ‘History of Dunedin’, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dunedin, accessed 22 October 2009.14 Minutes of Joint Committee Meeting, 13 October 1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.15 Brown, Gordon, ‘Colin McCahon’, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6, accessed 22 October 2009.16 Brown, Gordon, ‘McCahon, Colin John’, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6 and Barnett, Gerald, ‘Woollaston, Mountford Tosswill’, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6,, accessed 22 October 2009.17 Entwisle, Rosemary, The Dunedin School of Art and the La Trobe Scheme: exhibition 20 May-5 July 1989: an account of the school in the first decades of this century and a catalogue of works in the Hocken Library by T.H. Jenkin, F.V. Ellis, W.H. Allen, R.N. Field, J.D.C. Edgar and G. Tovey, [Dunedin], Hocken Library, University of Otago, 1989, p. 14.18 Beaven, Lisa, ‘Lusk, Doris More’, http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=5L22 ; Brown, Gordon, ‘McCahon, Colin John’, and ODT, 18 May 198519 Entwistle, p. 14.20 Letter from Principal to the Minister of Education, 26 Sept 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-008/011, Hocken Collections.21 Minutes of Board of Managers Meeting, 24 Sept 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.


http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=5L22

http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dunedin

From 1923 to 1941 Mair was responsible for most of the government buildings erected in New Zealand, many of them involving significant departures from tradition and precedent in both style and construction methods. During his ten-ure, modernist architectural precepts displaced the revivalist styles favoured for public buildings in the past. Construction methods also began to utilise con-crete and structural steel instead of brick and timber.23 These construction methods were in evidence in the plans for the Art School. The Board, however, was in favour of brick in keeping with the original portion of KETC. In re-sponse, Mair convinced the Principal of the justification for a building framed in wood with well-concreted foundations, steeltex and plaster walls with a tiled roof.24

Sketch plans were ready by August 1935.25 The design was of an impressive en-trance and two-story building on the corner of Tennyson Street and York Place, and a one story wing running down York Place. Tenders for the Art School were called for in May 1936.26 The successful contractor was D.A. O’Connell & Co.27 The Head of the School, Tovey, was responsible for internal fittings.28

The School included nine classrooms, mostly with dimensions of c. 30 x 26”, and several offices.29 The interiors were lined with tentest wallboard. 30 The en-trance was impressive and lined in black tiles.31 One of the classrooms remains largely unaltered. It contains five steps running the length of the room, each 120 cm wide, descending to a teaching area. A manhole in the steps allows ac-cess to the basement below. It reveals, along with artists’ crayons littered in the dust, poured concrete piers, and walls of no fines concrete. The boards are diagonal and the floors are tongue and groove.

On 5 March 1937 the first three classrooms of the new building were used.32 The School was officially opened on 22 March by the Minister of Education, Peter Fraser.33 It was said that there were ‘nine beautiful, sunny rooms. Well equipped and exhibiting the most modern of lighting…[The School] will fill a long-felt need in the life of the community, and should inspire fresh interest in artistic creation’.34

22 Minutes of Board of Managers Meeting, 24 Sept 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.23Shaw, Peter, ‘Mair, John Thomas’, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=4M31, accessed 22 October 2009.24 Letter from Principal to Director of Education, 30 Jul 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-008/011, Hocken Collections.25 Order paper for Joint Committee Meeting, 20 Aug 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.26 Principal’s Report for the Month of May, May 1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.27 ODT, 23 Mar 1937, p. 4.28 Minutes of Board of Managers Meeting, 24 Sept 1935, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-001/006, Hocken Collections.29 Correspondence file, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-008/011, Hocken Collections.30 Minutes of Joint Committee Meeting, 13 Oct 1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collection.31 See Figure 32. Part of the entrance way, which has a black tiled ceiling, has been enclosed to create further office space.32 ODT, 17 Mar 1937, p. 3.33 ODT, 22 Mar 1937, p. 5.34 ODT, 22 Mar 1937, p. 5.


http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=4M31

During the war years, school building activities were delayed. This, combined with an increasing school population, resulted in a sizeable programme of post-war school building.35 Numbers of pupils were also increasing. In 1900 only a small minority of students went on to secondary schooling. By 1943, three quarters of children went on to further education. As a result, most city secondary schools were overcrowded.36 KETC represented national schooling which was ‘no longer to be the privilege of the well-to-do or the academically able’.37 A 1952 report noted most KETC classrooms were full and that there was an obvious need for more classrooms and specialist rooms, particularly for motor engineering, plumbing and welding. It also noted that cloak room space had been a problem for years. 38 ‘Viewing through present day educational lights, there is a deplorable – yes, deplorable – lack of such facilities…’39

In 1948 an extension to the Art School was opened. The Marlow building was KETC’s new domestic wing. It was named after J.J. Marlow who had served on the Board of Managers and was a former chairman.40 The push for this new wing came as early as 1936 as numbers of domestic students were taxing the already over-stretched space available.41 Domestic education required not only classrooms but kitchens, laundries and sewing rooms; all of which were space-intensive. In October 1936 an understanding was reached between the Board and the Ministry that a new Home Science building would be erected. By August 1937 plans for the building had been drawn up, probably by John Mair again. Yet tenders were not called for until May 1945.42

Work on the building was slow. Site excavations began early in 1945 but stalled in March. Workmen were withdrawn until an agreement was reached between the City Corporation and Public Works over the building permit.43 Work was still delayed when the Minister of Education visited the site eight months later.44 Eventually a redesign of the building solved the problem45. Work ceased again in November 1946 because of a delay in supplying joinery from Auckland.46 The walls, like those of the Art School, were concrete with external plastering. By May 1947 the roof was on.47 The windows, supplied by

35 Ding, G.D. ‘A New Technical College for Dunedin: a thesis’, 1952, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-055/015, Hocken Collections.36 Ding.37 Taylor, Nancy M. The Home Front II, Wellington, Historical Publications Branch, 1986, p. 1117, URL: http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Hom-c22.html, accessed 22 October 2009.38 Ding.39 Ding.40 ODT, 18 May 1985.41 Special report upon next extension to the College Buildings, 13 Oct 1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.42 Principal’s report on staffing and accommodation for 1945, c. May 1945, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.43 Principal’s report for the month of March, Mar 1945, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.44 Minutes of Board of Managers Meeting, 27 Nov 1945, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.45 ODT, 8 Sept 1948, p. 4.46 Minutes of Joint Committee Meeting, 19 Nov 1946, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.47 Minutes of Joint Committee Meeting, 27 May 1947, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.


http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Hom-c22.html

Crittall Windows, were installed soon after.48 A series of external arches, creating an outside veranda, were also part of the original design. These were covered up at a later unknown date to create more rooms and corridor space49.

It was not until 10 September 1948 that the Public Works Department formally handed over the building.50 The new wing was constructed at a cost of £24,000, a sum considerably in excess of the original estimate.51 The building was officially opened by the Minister of Education on 7 September 1948.52

The main entrance to the new Home Science Department was from the girls’ playground area.53 It included cooking and dressmaking rooms, with an area for washing and drying linen. Domestic classes also included a three hour laundry class, both theoretical and practical. The girls learned how to launder delicate fabrics and how to iron a man’s stiff-fronted evening shirt to perfection. There were also classes in plain sewing, embroidery and household accounts.54 Even with this recent addition, it was noted in 1952 that in so far as ‘the college is a functional whole, the present conglomeration of buildings leaves much to be desired…All the alterations and additions that have been carried out, are but short-term improvements which are essential to the continuous functioning of the school…’.55

In November 1959 the specifications for an extension to the Domestic Wing were released. The newest addition was to contain engineering workshops and classrooms. The architects were, once again, the firm of Mandeno and Fraser.56

J.M. G. Hanlon was the consulting structural engineer. A.J Price & Sons were the contractors. It was named after James Malcolm Patrick (1899-1966), who was a long time member and chairman of the KETC Board. Resembling the other extensions, it was made of concrete with external plastering, although three-storied rather than two. The timber roof was flat and covered in bitumen. Windows were steel. Doors, frames and the stair handrail were heart Red Pine. The main door opening to Tennyson Street was Oregon with beaded glazed panels.57 Attached as it was to the Marlow building, it required a door to be removed from the side of the Domestic Wing and a new door fronting on to Tennyson Street to be added.58

In 1956 B.I. Fulton became the College’s new Principal. He sought a distinction between the evening classes and the high school. In 1963 the change was made. King Edward Technical College became King Edward High School. The evening technical classes were taken over by a new educational institution, the 48 Minutes of the Joint Committee Meeting, 26 Sept 1947, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.49 See Figure 15.50 Order paper for Works Committee Meeting, 13 Sept 1948, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.51 ODT, 8 Sept 1948, p. 4.52 ODT, 8 Sept 1948, p. 4.53 Principal’s Report for August, Aug 1947, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.54 ODT, 18 May 198555 Ding.56 Erection of New Engineering Workshops and Classrooms [Building spceifiactions], 1959, King Edward Technical College Records AG-763-048/002, Hocken Collections.57 Ibid.58 Ibid.


Otago Polytechnic. The three buildings on Tennyson Street became the property of this new Polytechnic.

Over time, the Otago Polytechnic utilised the 1937 Art School as a Library and classrooms, the 1948 Marlow building as a classroom block, including a student lounge, and the 1960 Patrick building as the site of the Department of Hospitality and Services.59

The Patrick Building was also the site of the training restaurant named after Joseph Mellor. Mellor was one of the first pupils of the Dunedin Technical Association’s adult education classes established in 1889. He went on to become the foremost inorganic chemist of his generation. Indeed his reputation is on par with that of Ernest Rutherford’s in physics.60 For several decades, the Joseph Mellor Restaurant was a popular and inexpensive restaurant frequented by members of the public. In later years part of the 1937 Art School, which ran down York Place towards the main block, was utilised also by the Hospitality Department. It established Café Brie, where barristers and chefs gained practical experience.

Condition, integrity and risk assessmentThe buildings appear to be in good condition, structurally sound, weather tight and with no obvious repairs needed. Internally walls, floor and joinery have been well maintained. There has been much alteration of classroom and offices spaces to accommodate changes in requirements.

The building has medium integrity. It has lost some important elements through alterations, although the original layout and fabric may still be read and in some cases may simply be obscured by later décor. The building still retains sufficient signs of its original fabric and layout for its value to be understood and interpreted.

There are some potential risks that may threaten the buildings and so impact on historic heritage of value to present and future generations. The buildings were vacated mid-2009. Deterioration, neglect and damage due to vacancy are possible risk factors. Change of ownership incorporates further risk factors. Demolition or destruction is an obvious threat which would result in a grievous loss of heritage value. Uncontrolled development would represent almost as serious a loss of heritage. Alterations, additions, subdivision, new buildings and earthworks would similarly have to be assessed for their risk to heritage values, balanced with the need to ensure adaptive reuse.

Key Physical Dates

1937 Dunedin Art School built on corner of York Place and Tennyson Street

1948 Marlow Building (Domestic wing) extension59 See Figure 6.60 ‘Joseph Mellor’, URL: http://www.kvc.school.nz/Kaikor’aistream/Intro_Folder/Notable_Personalitites_Part_Two.htm, accessed 22 October 2009.


http://www.kvc.school.nz/Kaikor'aistream/Intro_Folder/Notable_Personalitites_Part_Two.htm

1960 Patrick Building (Motor engineering and plumbing workshops)

Former and Current Uses

Education – Adult education/trainingEducation – PolytechnicEducation – SchoolEducation – School of ArtsEducation – Special education school/centreEducation – Technical InstituteRetail and Commercial – Restaurant/café/tearoom

Construction Professionals

Henry Thomas (Harry) Mandeno (1879-1973)William McLellan (1878-1965)John Thomas Mair (1876-1959)D.A. O’Connell & Co

Discussion of Sources

Analysis of Material Available

Secondary sources were available in the form of jubilee histories, although there appears to be no official published histories of the school. The archives of the King Edward Technical College are held by the Hocken Collections. Although they are extensive there are no plans and few details of the extensions. Newspaper articles were most useful as was the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography in providing information concerning New Zealand artists.

Analysis of Material Accessed

The archives of KETC provided two documents of particular help. Specifications relating to the Patrick building provided valuable details, while G. Ding’s architectural theses provided information concerning the School’s space issues and the post-war context. Newspaper articles gathered useful oral history and provided a wealth of detail concerning the use of the buildings.

Bibliography

Primary SourcesDunedin Weekender

Otago Daily Times


Board of Managers’ Minutes, 1934-1937, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-001/006, Hocken Collections.

Board and Committee Papers, 1934-1936, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/008, Hocken Collections.

Board and Committee Papers, 1943-1947, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-003/012, Hocken Collections.

King Edward Technical College jubilee booklet, Dunedin, The College, [1939], King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-045/004, Hocken Collections.Correspondence file, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-008/011, Hocken Collections.

Erection of New Engineering Workshops and Classrooms [Building specifications], 1959, King Edward Technical College Records AG-763-048/002, Hocken Collections.

G.D. Ding, ‘A New Technical College for Dunedin: a thesis’, 1952, King Edward Technical College Records, AG-763-055/015, Hocken Collections.

Elma Hughes, ‘A New Site – An Old School; a written and pictorial history of King Edward Technical and Logan Park High School’, Elma Hughes Estate. Records relating to the King Edward Technical College 75th Jubilee. AG-754-03, Hocken Collections.

Secondary SourcesM. Abbott, ‘The Origins of Technical Education in New Zealand’, URL: http://www.crie.org.nz/research_paper/M.Abbott_H.D_OP2.3.pdf, accessed 4 Nov 2009.

Gerald Barnett, ‘Woollaston, Toss Mountford’, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6, accessed 22 October 2009.

Beaven, Lisa, ‘Lusk, Doris More’, http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=5L22, accessed 22 October 2009.

Gordon Brown, ‘McCahon, Colin John’, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=4N6, accessed 22 October 2009.

Rosemary Entwisle, The Dunedin School of Art and the La Trobe Scheme: exhibition 20 May-5 July 1989 : an account of the school in the first decades of this century and a catalogue of works in the Hocken Library by T.H. Jenkin, F.V. Ellis, W.H. Allen, R.N. Field, J.D.C. Edgar and G. Tovey, [Dunedin], Hocken Library, University of Otago, 1989.

Hardwicke Knight & Niel Wales, Buildings of Dunedin: an illustrated architectural guide to New Zealand's Victorian city, Dunedin, John McIndoe, 1988.

‘History of Dunedin, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dunedin, accessed 22 October 2009.

‘Joseph Mellor’, URL: http://www.kvc.school.nz/Kaikoraistream/Intro_Folder/Notable_Personalitites_Part_Two.htm, accessed 22 October 2009.


http://www.kvc.school.nz/Kaikoraistream/Intro_Folder/Notable_Personalitites_Part_Two.htm

http://www.kvc.school.nz/Kaikoraistream/Intro_Folder/Notable_Personalitites_Part_Two.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dunedin





http://www.crie.org.nz/research_paper/M.Abbott_H.D_OP2.3.pdf

Nancy M. Taylor, The Home Front II, Wellington, Historical Publications Branch, 1986, p. 1117, URL: http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Hom-c22.html, accessed 22 October 2009.

Shaw, Peter, Mair, John Thomas’, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=4M31, accessed 22 October 2009.

STATEMENT OF WIDER NATIONAL INTEREST61

Historic heritage values

The KETC site, which includes the three buildings at 136 Tennyson Street, is of significant national interest. It is a significant example of the themes and patterns which represent technical education throughout New Zealand. It was the second earliest technical school in the country, first advocated in 1889. For over twenty years following World War II , it was also the largest. Finally, it represents the evolution of technical education into Polytechnics. All this is represented on one site.

The 1937 extension to KETC provided the prestigious Art School with its first purpose-built facility. The School had a long historical continuity of art education, established as it was by the Otago Education Board in 1870. It now had a prominent and identifiable setting and was designed by the important Government architect John Mair. Its design and corner site gives the building aesthetic appeal. The Art School became associated with the life and works of a wealth of uniquely talented artists and art teachers. While the likes of Toss Woollaston and Rodney Kennedy had attended the Art School within the main KETC building, now budding artists such as Colin McCahon, and Doris Lusk undertook study in the new Art School building. There they found visionary art teachers such as R.N. Field, who helped inspire a unique and exceptional contribution to New Zealand’s cultural and educational landscape. The School was held in high esteem by the art community and came to be associated with the theme of indigenous modernism. The School was also associated with a wider group of national art schools, although in terms of its rare and unique contributions only Elam School of Art came close in comparison. The Art School has the potential to contribute through public education to people’s awareness and appreciation of New Zealand’s history and culture. It also facilitates social dialogue and communication about the development of New Zealand art and key figures such as McCahon.

The Marlow building served as KETC’s domestic wing. Designed again by John Mair, the exterior wrapping of the staircase as well as the exterior arches (now covered in) showed his architectural merit. It is associated with the theme of domestic education and exemplifies the increase in students requiring more classrooms and training facilities. Indeed it represents the national pattern of increased numbers undertaking secondary education and symbolises the Government’s school building programme designed to accommodate increased student rolls. From its establishment in 1948 until the Polytechnic’s vacated 61For the relevant sections of values-framework see Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information.


http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/DNZB/alt_essayBody.asp?essayID=4M31

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Hom-c22.html

the building mid-2009, it provides evidence of historical continuity in the teaching of domestic education.

Connected with this historical continuity in domestic education is the Patrick building. Although, originally built for motoring workshops, by the 1960s it had become the Department of Hospitality and Services. It was home to the Joseph Mellor Restaurant. The name of this restaurant is significant in its association with KETC’s most famous pupil, inorganic chemist Joseph Mellor. It is also significant for the public esteem with which this restaurant was held. For decades, it not only provided a valuable training ground for chefs who went on to work nationally and internationally, but also provided a popular ‘night-out’. It connected the Polytechnic with the community, and garnered public esteem.

The three buildings at 136 Tennyson Street contribute to our understanding of technical education in New Zealand. The Art School in particular, extends its national significance into the core of New Zealand’s artistic and cultural development.

Summary of significance

The Art School has a significant wider national interest worthy of preservation for future generations. The building retains a degree of integrity, revealing significant features from its time of construction. More original features are most likely hidden underneath décor added at a later date. It is also rare in its contribution to art education in New Zealand. Almost no other Art School held the same influential reputation. Combined with the Marlow and Patrick buildings, it contributes to a wider educational heritage landscape. It represents the ongoing development of technical education in New Zealand from its earliest inception to its contemporary reincarnation as a Polytechnic. Its wider national significance cannot be underestimated.


APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Visual Identification Aids

Location Maps

T

Figure 1: South Island location map.

Heritage Assessment Report for Historic Heritage

Dunedin

13

Figure 2: Regional location map showing parcel and street address. 136 Tennyson Street is outlined in red (QuickMap Mortgage View V7.0.121).


Map of place identified as having heritage value

Figure 3: Location map showing 136 Tennyson Street (outlined in blue) with the relevant buildings marked (Google Sat Map)


1923 Thomson Wing

Main KETC block

1937 Art School

1948 Marlow building

1960 Patrick building

1918 Burt Hall

15

Current Identifier


Figure 4: Search copy of current certificate of title OT14B/29 (Land Information New Zealand, Landonline).

Appendix 2: Visual Aids to Historical InformationOriginal survey plans and historical photographs

Figure 5: Survey Plan ST 14, 1919 (Landonline). The approximate position of 136 Tennyson Street is outlined in blue.


Figure 5: King Edward Technical College, 1958, AG-763-044/014, Hocken Collections.


Art School

Marlow Building

Site of Patrick Building

Thomson wingMain block

Burt Hall

18

Appendix 3: Visual Aids to Physical Information

Current Plans

Figure 6: Otago Polytechnic Tennyson Street campus map URL: http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/fileadmin/Corporate/PDFs/StudyHere/TennysonMAP-25Jan07.pdf, accessed 29 September 2009.


http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/fileadmin/Corporate/PDFs/StudyHere/TennysonMAP-25Jan07.pdf

http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/fileadmin/Corporate/PDFs/StudyHere/TennysonMAP-25Jan07.pdf

Current Photographs of Place

Figure 7: Exterior of Dunedin Art School building, showing entrance way and date of construction, taken from York Place. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 8: Exterior of Dunedin Art School building, 1937, from York Place. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 9: Exterior of Dunedin Art School building, showing building as it extends down York Place. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.

Figure 10: Exterior of Marlow building from Tennyson Street, where it joins onto the Art School. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.

Figure 11: Exterior of Marlow and Patrick buildings from Tennyson Street. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 12: Exterior of Patrick building facing Tennyson Street, showing signage of the building and the Joseph Mellor Restaurant. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 13: Exterior of entrance to Patrick building, looking up from Tennyson Street to York Place. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.

Figure 14: Exterior of entrances to Marlow building and the central staircase windows from the playground. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 15: Exterior of entrance to Marlow building from playground. Note original arches which have been covered in to create extra interior space. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.

Figure 16: Exterior of the Marlow (to the left) and the Art School (right) buildings. The tunnel links through to Tennyson Street. Susan Irvine, 29 September 2009.


Figure 17: Interior of Patrick building, looking towards entrance doors from playground. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 18: Interior of cloak room in Patrick building, showing original tiling. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 19: Looking up the stairwell of the Patrick building from the ground floor. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 20: Interior of Joseph Mellor Restaurant in Patrick building. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 21: Interior of Marlow Building, looking towards entrance doors from playground. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 22: Looking up the concrete stairwell of the Marlow Building to the feature windows looking out on the playground. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 23: Window in Marlow Building. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 24: Interior of Marlow Building showing the original external archways, now filled in. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 25: Corridor in Marlow Building looking towards the Art School. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 26: Unstained floor boards in Marlow Building, indicating there was always a floor covering. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 27: Window in Marlow Building indicating unusual opening mechanism. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 28: Feature window in the Art School. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 29: Upstairs bay window in the Art School looking out on the corner of Tennyson Street and York Place. This room was used as a Library by the Otago Polytechnic. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure30 : An interesting addition outside a downstairs office in the Art School. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 31: Downstairs bay window in the Art School looking out on the corner of Tennyson Street and York Place. This room was used as an office. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 32: Interior of door into the Art School. Note the black ceiling tiles. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 33: Original door to a cupboard in the Art School. Note original ceiling. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 34: Original door and cupboard in the Art School, apparently unaltered. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 35: Cloak room in the Art School. Note original rear walls, ceiling and curtain. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 36: Original Art School staircase. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 37: Two original Art School classrooms. The dividing wall was removed and he space was used as Café Brie for hospitality training. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 38: Window and catch in the Art School looking out on York Place. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 39: Window and opening mechanisms in the Art School looking out on York Place. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.

Figure 40: Interior of classroom in the Art School. The steps appear to be an original feature of the classroom. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Figure 41: View of Art School basement looking through manhole cover. Jonathan Howard, 30 September 2009.


Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information

Historic Heritage ValuesValues Value

qualitiesGuidance

Historical Historical Association with history (people, use, production, living, activities, health, recreation, enjoyment)Association with life or works of individual, group, iwi, organisation and communityAssociation with an eventAssociation with aspects, processes, themes or patternsAssociation with a wider group of heritage places, landscape, townscape or setting

Physical Archaeological Potential to contribute information about the human history of a community or to current archaeological research questions, through investigation using archaeological methods

Architectural Design, form, scale, materials, ornamentation, style, period, craftsmanship or other architectural element

Technological Innovative or methods of construction or design, contains unusual construction materials, early example of the use of a particular construction technique, potential to contribute information about technological history

Scientific Potential to provide scientific information about the history of a community and New Zealand

Cultural Social Importance to tangata whenua and wider Maori societyImportance to the development of New Zealand as a diverse, bi-cultural and multi-cultural societyImportance to history of a cultural or ethic groupFocus of community or regional, national identity or sense of placeEvidence of cultural or historical continuityPublic esteem or cultural sentimentSymbolic or commemorative sentimentPotential to contribute through public education to people’s awareness and appreciation of New Zealand’s history and culturePotential to contribute to facilitate social dialogue and communication

Traditional Focus of traditional events, stories, rituals, festivals or other intangible heritage activities

Spiritual Focus of religious or other public ceremonies relating to a system of beliefs or traditionsConsidered sacred, holy or tapu by individuals or communities in association with a system of beliefs or traditions

Aesthetic Special interest, character, landmark, amenity or visual appeal relating to historical or physical characteristics (including views to and from the place)


Threshold criteria to assist in assessing significance

Integrity: Does the place have integrity, retaining significant features from its time of construction or creation, or later periods when important modifications or additions were carried out?

Rarity: Is the place, or are features within it, few in original number, few in surviving number, or were the result of rare historical processes or events at a geographical level or in relation to particular historical themes?

Uniqueness: Is the place, or are features within it, or unique examples of its type?

Unusual: Is the place, or are features within it, atypical and abnormal?

Representativeness: Is the place a good example of a class, for example, in terms of design, type, features, use, technology or time period?

Exceptional: Does the place have features that serve as primary exemplar of those features?

Vulnerability: Is the place vulnerable to deterioration or destruction or is threatened by land use activities.

Statutory recognition: Does the place or area have recognition in New Zealand legislation or international law including: World Heritage Listing under the World Heritage Convention 1972; registration under the Historic Places Act 1993; is it an archaeological site as defined by the Historic Places Act 1993; is it a statutory acknowledgement under claim settlement legislation; or is it recognised by special legislation?


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