St Andrews Church

Challenge

The St Andrews Church, located at 30 The Terrace in Wellington, is undergoing an extensive upgrade involving three phases.

The first phase (completed in early 2009), involved renovating the external structure and roof. The roof needed to be replaced; structure strengthened for earthquakes; and concrete repair and treatment undertaken. Structural enhancement was also required on the tower to ensure it was securely attached to the remainder of the building.

The St Andrews Church was originally constructed in 1923. As a category one Heritage New Zealand Building, its historic significance commands due respect in architectural conservation. This building is the only New Zealand example of an English Baroque style church; deeming it a significant Wellington landmark.

Ecostar Traditional Midnight Grey St Andrews Church, The Terrace, Wellington

Solution

It was vital that the finish of the roof was sympathetic to the architectural era during which the building was erected.

The client and architect visited another building with a Viking EcoStar roof to view the quality of installation and aesthetics. Both parties were impressed with its authentic appearance and the added advantage over traditional slate in that it’s a lightweight roof.

As a result Viking EcoStar (Majestic Slate) tiles were included in the specification document.

Accordingly, on advice from the Historic Places Trust, the Wellington City Council approved the use of Viking EcoStar on the St Andrews Church.

Result

The 550m2 St Andrews Church re-roof was installed over a two month period using Viking EcoStar Majestic Slate tiles in “Midnight Grey”. The Viking EcoStar tile provided a watertight solution on the new plywood substrate. The finished look complemented the exterior of this outstanding and important New Zealand historical building.