Christ’s College wins Vero Supreme Heritage Award

The winners of the 2014 Vero Canterbury Heritage Awards were announced at the newly rebuilt Knox Presbyterian Church on Thursday night (October 23).

Christ’s College Board of Governors won the Vero Supreme Award with their restored Harper and Julius Houses. Judges praised the Board of Governors for recognising the importance of restoring the iconic building within the School’s quadrangle both to the culture of the School and the heritage of Christchurch and Canterbury, a sentiment echoed by Jimmy Higgins, Executive General Manager, Vero Earthquake Programme:

“Vero would like to congratulate Christ’s College on winning this prestigious award. It is a privilege to sponsor the Supreme Heritage Award and we would like to commend the Board of Governors for their vision and commitment.”

Fittingly the Awards venue, the Knox Presbyterian Church, was awarded the CeresNZ Seismic Award for the seamless execution of knitting together a new exterior build with the retention of the historic timber arched interior.

A new category was introduced this year to recognise the Christchurch rebuild and the buildings that will secure a cultural legacy for the future: The Christchurch Heritage Trust Future Heritage Award was won by the new Stranges Building.

Other projects to take out top awards were:

• PKF Goldsmith Fox Heritage Retention Award – Ironside House
• TDM Events Heritage Restoration Award – Orion Powerhouse Gallery/Akaroa Historic Hydro Generator and Christ’s College’s Harper and Julius Houses (equal winners)
• Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism Heritage Tourism Award – Christchurch Tramway Heritage Tours Re-Start
• Continental Heritage Champion Award – Waimakariri District Council’s Landmarks Team
Category winners were presented with a Neil Dawson designed trophy in recognition of their achievement in front of an audience of Canterbury heritage advocates and representatives from major sponsor Vero.

“Vero has a long history in New Zealand and we’ve remained committed to Canterbury during the worst natural disasters in recent years. Our approach is to partner with our customers to achieve the best outcome for all.

“We are proud of our involvement in the reinstatements of some of the most iconic buildings in Canterbury and we are committed to resolving all our customer’s claims as efficiently as possible,” said Mr Higgins.

The judging panel for the awards was chaired by Anna Crighton and included international heritage expert Jim Gard’ner from Heritage Victoria, David Hill from Wilson and Hill Architects Ltd, Paul Campbell from Opus International Consultants Ltd and Rob Hall General Manager of Heritage New Zealand.

The Canterbury Heritage Awards recognise excellence in heritage retention and conservation, heritage tourism and education within the public and private sector and promotes the values of best practice heritage retention and conservation to the wider community.

-ENDS-

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