b'gold standardF ormanycitiesandtownsaroundthe country,thelocaltheatreisoften countedamongtheirmostcherished buildings. Not only have these structures served as the pinnacle of the communitys culture, but many boast iconic heritage features that infuse the municipalitys core with unique character. Butastimeshavechanged,sotoohasthe entertainment industry. At the same time that technologicaladvancementshavealteredthe landscape of whats possible to accomplish on a stage, in-person performances are forced to compete for audiences against many activities thatdidntexistatthetimethesebuildings wereconstructed.Often,partofprotecting these heritage assets is making sure that they can continue to hold value and relevancy for thecommunityapartfromtheiraesthetics alone. Rather than simply serving as a shrine to the past, its become increasingly important to find ways to activate these venues beyond their original intentions to meet the evolving needs of the community. the Council also recognised that undertakingdevelopedtheplansandcoordinatedinputabove and opposite: The Sir Builtin1938onlandgiftedbyNgtitheprocessoffereduniqueopportunitiestofromtheotherprojectconsultants,providedHoward Morrison Centre (SHMC)ReseneWhakaue,theSirHowardMorrisonCentrereinvent the facility if the right approach wasthearchitecturalspecificationsandoversawis a milestone project in RotoruasRustic Red(SHMC) has taken on a number of forms duringtaken.Inadditiontoincreasingtheoverallthe construction phase while First Light StudioVision 2030 endeavour and has its storied existence. It started out as Rotoruasbuildingstrengthto67%+NBSatIL3,theyprovideddesigninputandthearchitecturalembedded itself as a nationally-Municipal Building and served as the citys civicsoughttoincreasethevenuesflexibilityanddrawing documentation for the Building Consent.significant performance venue, opening its doors to larger touring centre before the complex was converted intorefurbishfourkeyperformancespaces:theAstheprojectsTheatreSystemsConsultant,productions while supporting a convention centre in 1995. Just a year prior,civic theatre, the concert chamber, the banquetShandSheltonalsoheadedupthetheatricalthe local theatre community.Resenethe building was officially listed as a Categoryroom and the foyer. They also seized the chancesystems infrastructure and design as well as itsThis project won a Resene TotalColorwood1historicplace.However,HeritageNewfor this new iteration to better reflect Rotoruasprocurement and construction monitoring. Colour Commercial Interior PublicEbonyZealandrejectedthedisappointingresultsofidentity,increaseitsconnectiontoNgtiArchitectEliNuttall,whoservedasthe+ Retail Colour Maestro Award the convention centre renovation after many ofWhakaueandSirHowardMorrisonslegacyprojectleadforFirstLightStudio,sayshisin recognition of the design teams the facilitys most exemplary heritage elementswhile also being sympathetic to the buildingsteam was proud to be able to bring their freshexpert use of colour. The complexs four performance spaces are wereobfuscated.In2014,RotoruaLakesheritage. To do these goals justice, they knewperspective to the project. We have a passionunited through warm red details.ReseneCouncil began charting a new course for thethey needed the right team. for storytelling that is born out of experience withThe concert chamber has wallsCrossroadscomplexone that would see it transform intoTheprojectbecamethefirstcollaborationinternational competitions and a commitment toand ceiling in Resene Rustic Red a performing arts venue for the community thatbetween Shand Shelton and First Light Studio,working with mana whenua to realise a buildingwhile the civic theatre features pays homage to Sir Howard Morrisons legacy.wherebothfirmscontributedtothedesignthat is truly of its place and people. walls in a custom Resene purple But three short years later, they were forced todirection.ShandSheltonwasalreadyarmedWith remedial heritage restorations, peelingand ceiling in Resene Crossroads. shutter it to the public after the infrastructurewithintimateknowledgeoftheprojectafterback layers of history to remove past alterationsSkirting boards and railings inResenewas deemed earthquake prone. previouslyworkingwiththeRotoruaLakesthathaveeitheragedpoorlyorsimplydontResene Bokara Grey and timberBokara Greyacoustic panels stained in Resene Re-strengthening is a complex, years-longCouncil during the rebuilding of the stagehousealign with the heritage or contemporary valuesColorwood Ebony and finished in endeavourfullofunexpectedsurprises,butin 2010. As the Lead Design Consultant, theyofthestructurecanprovetobeespeciallyResene Aquaclear Natural.blackwhitemag.com 17'