Queens Gardens Amenity Block

Positioned at the entrance to Nelson’s historic Queens Gardens, this public amenity block both provides public facilities and acts as a gateway structure for the classical Victorian ornamental park.

Flanked by the Suter Art Gallery, the design connects visually and materially to the gallery which underwent renovation in 2015. The form represents the abstracted form of the Suter and existing gateways at the entrances to the Queens Garden. Basalt cladding used on the extensions of the Suter is repeated to give continuity between the neighbouring projects.

Sitting within the 14m root-protection zone of a large Redwood tree, the structure uses specialised piles to minimise impact to tree roots.

An existing historic stone wall that runs along the footpath on Bridge Street also required protection during construction.

Glazed clerestory windows provide passive heating during the day as well as introduce natural lighting into the space.

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Laser cut screens attached to the front and rear façades replicate the decoration seen on the entrance gates to Queens Gardens and create connection between the sites.