This is the outside of Shed 10 on Auckland's Queens Wharf right now, as work progresses on refurbishing, restoration, and preparation for a new life for this heritage building as part-time cruise ship terminal and events space on Queens Wharf.
You can see an interpretation display showing how Queens Wharf looked when there were six sheds there. The building is now cloaked in scaffolding outside....
I had the chance of sneak preview inside last week. And was keen to take a look....
The view out from inside the front door of Shed 10 is as it was - the ferry building...
But inside there are interesting changes- explained here by John Smith - ex ARC and now consulting to Waterfront Development Agency. Stephen Rainbow takes it all in...
Just inside the front door, an opening has been made into the second floor. This opening will provide for a lift and staircase enabling easy access between the floors. You can see here up to the ceiling of the second floor - made from kauri timber sarking and iron. Huge iron girders form the structure....
Another view from ground floor looking up into the second level - which will be used to embark and disembark passengers from cruise ships on a part-time basis. It is designed for multi-purpose events also.
You can see some of the structural detailing here. New steel work has been incorporated and integrated with the old...
New tools are used alongside the old...
Pieces of old steel girder are being retained for future interpretation and exhibits that help tell the story of the building's history...
This hole cut through the ferro-concrete wharf below provides a reminder and perspective of the fact that this building is in fact on a wharf, and is in fact above the sea...
These chunks of timber are sections cut from existing flooring - where new openings have been created. The cross-sections looked like new timber.... I was told the timber was Matai. With the main wooden beams being of kauri (see later).
This opening is at the opposite end of Shed 10.
Again you can see the new sections of steel that have been introduced supporting the old massive beams of Kauri, into which the Matai flooring timbers are nailed....
Where-ever possible existing network infrastructure has been used, but new services have been laid where necessary - the aim being to be in keeping with existing
This opening also provides interesting visual viewpoints within the building...
Shed 10's potential as an exhibition and event space, a place for encounters and public exchange, is starting to unfold and be revealed...
John Smith explains a detail to me - trying to keep his eyes off the gumboots I hastily donned from the workroom because I turned up in "open-toed shoes" (sandals). Not allowed on the site visit. Quite right. I was still a bit in holiday mode...
The various window openings that are starting to be installed - consistent with the original design - are bringing new light inside and add to the visual interest...
And here John Smith and Stephen Rainbow give an idea of the sheer scale of the main kauri beams used in Shed 10. These massive sections have been cut from the openings between the two floors...
Bits and pieces of new and old steel are dotted around the floor...
This picture is included so you can see how well my choice of shirt matched with the Hi Vis vest
Having walked through Shed 10 from the Queens Street end we walked outside to climb up a set of steps in the scaffolding to inspect level two....
Here we are on level two - the scale is vast - now that the temporary structures that had been in there have been removed...
The matai floor is a huge feature....
It was explained that every effort is being made to retain the original look, texture and feel of the flooring....
... and the openings to the Port provide wonderful views toward the Harbour entrance, and of the Port itself.
The plan is to retain the original floor markings...
...and cast iron sections - like this hinge...
Level two will also include infrastructure in these openings that will allow passengers on and off ships when they dock at Queens Wharf.
We walked back down to the Queen Street end of Shed 10, along Level 2, and came back to the opening that will contain the stairwell and lifts....
You can look down from this gallery point of view to the main entrance door, but you can also see another opening in the wall directly across. This is like a huge bay window that looks up Queen Street and across the ferry terminal to the ferry building and beyond. A favorite haunt I am sure in future...
This box appeared to hold all the old nails that had been used to hold the floor timbers in place.
Everything seems to have been saved for a future project where the story of Shed 10, Queens Wharf, and the whole of Auckland's waterfront gets told and interpreted.
Some sort of integrated heritage trail is called for from Marsden Wharf (where Rainbow Warrior was blown up by the French), along Quay Street, including Queens Wharf, the Viaduct, Maritime Museum, Voyager, Te Whero, across the walking bridge to North Wharf, Silo Park, Heritage Landing (with examples of heritage fleet), Vos and Bris Building and slipway....
There are some delightful reminders and remainders of times past on Shed 10...
Skilled workers carefully manhandle sections of old timber, as original window openings are revealed...
There's nothing quite like a good corrugated iron shed. An authentic piece of kiwiana....
2 comments:
What a wonderful walk through my history and how I remembered shed 10. Well done whoever decided to turn it into a passenger terminal.
And well done Joel for posting this for all to see.
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