Civic Trust
  • Home
  • About Us
    • What we do
    • Save the Date
    • Newsletters
  • Featured Articles
  • Heritage & History
    • Heritage NZ Listed Category 1
    • Awards & Grants
  • Get involved
    • Become a member
    • Make a donation chasing coin
  • Street Art
  • Blue Plaques
  • Contact
    • Links
    • Facebook Page
Featured Articles

The Coronation Buildings

22/4/2017

0 Comments

 
​The Coronation Buildings designed by Timaru architect James Turnbull in 1902 provide a firm mass to the heart of Stafford Street north, with a highly decorated touch.  This building is the most extravagant example of Victoriana within the CBD.  The present ice cream colours enhance the playful façade.

In the late 19th century the ornate Victorian style permeated all of the arts not to mention everyday household goods.  New manufacturing processes from the Industrial Revolution ensured that all manner of furniture and bric-a-brac could be smothered with tedious embellishments.

Not long after Queen Victoria's death in 1901, this decorative age came to a rapid end.  Perhaps the populace became weary of the pointless decoration?  That is one possible explanation.  But what is on record is the fact that Germany was flexing its political and military muscles, and its design schools were also becoming restless.  A sense of restraint, prevailed.  The carnival was over.

With unstoppable artistic and political drive the Modern movement of architecture and design emerged quickly in Northern Europe and a brave new era was born.  All decoration was rejected.  Indeed some art philosophers linked decoration with the criminal mind.

Despite the post Modern movement in architecture (ie. "anything goes") that gained traction worldwide from the 1970's the underlying ethic of the Modern movement has not ever died.

In Timaru the Coronation Buildings stand as a lasting example of a period when Britain was riding high on the world stage, lending its dominant Victorian architectural style to all parts of the Empire.  A future column might discuss this building in more detail.

David McBride
 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Back to Articles

    View by date

    Archives

    February 2021
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Featured Articles

Picture
CONTACT US
PO Box 674 Timaru 7940

Email info@timarucivictrust.co.nz
Picture

© Timaru Civic Trust | Website by Corporate Print
Imagery supplied by Brian High Productions ©
  • Home
  • About Us
    • What we do
    • Save the Date
    • Newsletters
  • Featured Articles
  • Heritage & History
    • Heritage NZ Listed Category 1
    • Awards & Grants
  • Get involved
    • Become a member
    • Make a donation chasing coin
  • Street Art
  • Blue Plaques
  • Contact
    • Links
    • Facebook Page