BUILDING » Caldow Builders / Bruce Barry Architect
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December/January 2016 Business North
Architect delighted with accolade Jo Bailey Palmerston North architect Bruce Barry was delighted to win an international design accolade for his work on the unique and innovative Te Waiora Community Medical Centre, which reflects Foxton’s Maori and maritime heritage. However, he and wife Jo missed the opportunity to travel to Hollywood to pick up the bronze award in the Institutional Architecture section of the International Design Awards (IDA), because he thought an email telling him he had been nominated was a scam. “It wasn’t until we were sent a certificate saying we had won that I did a bit more investigating and realised it was true.” Projects designed by over 1000 architects from 51 countries were chosen by the IDA and considered for the Los Angeles based awards, which “recognise, honour and promote legendary design visionaries”. The Auckland Art Gallery was the other project chosen from New Zealand. “We are very honoured to receive international recognition alongside such a fine building.” The Te Waiora Community Medical Centre project also won the Public Architecture category at the New Zealand Institute of Architects Western regional awards. As well as designing a vital multi-purpose amenity for the Foxton community, Bruce was determined to create a building that was linked to the region’s rich cultural and river transport history. The entrance has battened fences in the courtyard, which evoke the feeling of a marae “opening like big arms to welcome people in”. A four-gabled roof symbolises the prows of the ships that once docked in the harbour. Inside, consulting rooms are located around the building’s perimeter, with examination rooms in the centre. The building opened in July last year and is being used by Foxton Family Health Centre and Foxton Medical Centre. It arose from a partnership between Maori health provider Te Runanga o Raukawa and the Central Primary Health Organisation, but wouldn’t
Architect Bruce Barry was determined to design a medical centre that was linked to the region’s rich cultural and river transport history. have been possible without the donation of some generous local benefactors, says Bruce. “A local family funded the whole project until a board could be set up to pay them back. It was a tremendously generous gift. Without it, and the support of the locals the project wouldn’t have happened.” Bruce says the medical centre had previously run out of a very old, run-down villa, and with Foxton’s one permanent doctor getting closer to retirement, the town was in danger of losing its medical facility all together. “Foxton is a declining community, so this project was really important for the residents. The new facility is attracting more medical staff, and
even new residents. Foxton Beach is popular with people approaching retirement age, but they may have thought twice without a good quality medical centre.” Bruce and Jo, who is an interior designer, were residents at Foxton Beach for 15 years and have only recently moved to Palmerston North where Bruce has practiced since 1976 and run his current practice since 2005. Most of their work is residential, although they do take on light commercial and industrial projects. “We have around 10 new house designs on the go at the moment, as well as some apartments in Wellington.”
Bruce remains passionate about Foxton and is part of a “small group of dedicated people” working on projects to encourage tourism back into the town, and raise employment opportunities for young people. “We’re trying to get freshwater back into the river loop, and are also involved in a small way in the development of a new $2 million museum being designed by Pete Bossley, who designed Te Papa. “I’m passionate about getting Foxton up and running again and working alongside people who have the same drive. In a small community you only need a few people to start making a difference.”
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