Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand

Part of the Wellington Convention Centre:
111 Wakefield Street, Wellington, New Zealand. P.O.Box 2199 Wellington.
Phone (04) 801 4231. Fax (04) 801-4310.
E-mail wellingtonconventioncentre@wcc.govt.nz
Website: www.wellingtonconventioncentre.com

	Click image for ZOOMABLE cross section Requires Flash 6 - Let it install automatically if need be - a one time install.
MFC Home
MFC Auditorium
Upper Promenades
Lion Harbour View Lounge
VIP Lounge
Lower Promenades
Frank Taplin Room
Renouf Foyer
Fletcher Challenge Foyer
Symphony Cafe

In 1975 the then Mayor Sir Michael Fowler proposed the building of a new town hall, the idea being that on completion the old town hall would be demolished to makes way for a public park! Architects Warren and Mahoney of Christchurch prepared working drawings and worked with acoustic engineer Professor Harold Marshall of Auckland University in the design of the main auditorium, specifically geared for Orchestral performances. Work on foundations began in December 1977 but because the site is on reclaimed land there was difficulty in obtaining solid foundations and it took 2 1/2 years to prepare the site. The building was finally completed and opened on 6 September 1983, and the original Townhall was retained and later completely refurbished.
Click image for ZOOMABLE perspective view.
The building is simple in its conception, but complex in its geometric form. Conceived and drawn before the use of architectural CAD systems became common, it is a fantastic spatial achievement , and the architect Sir Miles Warren has recently been named, along with only 19 other artists, as a "New Zealand Icon". Drawing Notes: CAD drawings presented here are extracted from a 3D model of the MFC, created from on site laser measurements during 2003, and with reference to the original construction paper plans of the building. Thanks Mike Lamb of Lamb Design for access to these and also to various 2D CAD drawings of parts of the MFC and Town Hall.