Government House

Government House Wellington, the official residence of New Zealand’s Governor General, is an historic building in an award-winning landscape and forms an important part of New Zealand’s heritage. The Conservation Project was initiated to address a series of significant functional, safety and maintenance issues within the house andgrounds.

The project drew on the strengths and beauty of the existing spaces and structures of Government House and introduced subtle interventions that improve the experience and functionality of the environment for both visitors and those who live or work onsite.

Broad design moves address the visitor’s introduction to the House including improved processional spaces through the landscape and clearer hierarchy of ceremonial, service and working movements between the grounds and thehouse.

A series of subsequent design moves addressed a range of operational and spatial relationship aspects within the house. These required careful consideration of the existing historical context, intention, and fabric as well as analysis of the current and likely future uses. An emphasis on New Zealand made and designed elements was maintained throughout theproject.

The language of design carefully balances the responsibilities of reinforcing and celebrating the heritage attributes of the house and grounds while incorporating a level of contemporary amenity, and an acknowledgement of contemporary cultural place and time in NewZealand.