Skip to main content

Napier's art deco sound shell


Napier has alot of really strong art deco architecture mostly because the city was flattened during the massive earthquake they had in 1931. When we were there in April 2021 I took advantage of all of the beautiful buildings by taking loads of photos. This structure is known as the Soundshell which is these days available for organisations to hire as a stage setup and performance area.


It was built in 1935 and designed by Napier architect J.T. Watson. The art deco sound shell was the first to be built in the country and it trumpeted the city's intention not just to rise from the rubble and ashes of the earthquake and fires but to reinvent itself in the process. Information from the city council website.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Travel Tuesday, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Labels:

Comments

DawnTreader said…
Looks like a nice place for an outdoors concert :)
8 February 2022 at 06:51
Iris Flavia said…
Looks like a place of great fun!
8 February 2022 at 07:36
At Home In New Zealand said…
I've never seen the Sound Shell so devoid of people - you must have been up and about very early to get that shot!
8 February 2022 at 08:31
Billy Blue Eyes said…
Made for the acoustics
8 February 2022 at 08:48
Lydia C. Lee said…
Wow. Love the then and now shot. #OurWorldTuesday
8 February 2022 at 09:02
Bill said…
Great place for concerts and gatherings.
8 February 2022 at 09:54
NCSue said…
How interesting!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/02/alter-egos.html
8 February 2022 at 13:01
local alien said…
I vaguely remember a Soundshell at the Mount. A wonderful place for outdoor activities.
8 February 2022 at 22:05
Einari Sinappi said…
Looks loud. And beautiful. Great piece of history.
9 February 2022 at 01:08
Tom said…
...I love the design of this! We have one in a local part and have gone to it a number of times for concerts.
9 February 2022 at 02:20
Fun60 said…
Thanks for including the old photo. It's a great design. Good to know it's still in use.
9 February 2022 at 06:21
William Kendall said…
Lovely architecture.
9 February 2022 at 10:20
NatureFootstep said…
it is beautiful in it´s simplicity :)
9 February 2022 at 13:41
Lillian "sognafaret" said…
Thank you for showing me
9 February 2022 at 20:43
Yvonne said…
I've always loved art deco styles, and the story behind these photographs is very interesting.
13 February 2022 at 04:35
betty-NZ said…
I'm always drawn to the Art Deco there and around the country..

Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!
13 February 2022 at 22:18
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grace Brothers

  We have 2 new chickens, both black ladies. If any of you are familiar with British comedy tv shows you will recognize the names we have given them. This one is named Miss Brahms. And this one is named Mrs Slocombe. At the moment we have them in a temporary shelter next to the Special Patrol Group that we've had for the last 9 months just so they can get to know each other before we intigrate the black ones in with the brown ones. These ones give us a white coloured egg whereas the brown shavers give us brown coloured eggs. Linking up with  Tuesday Treasures ,  Happy Tuesdays  and   Wordless Wednesday .
15 comments
Read more

Auckland Metropolis Museum

In amongt the modern new highrise buildings in Auckland City is this smaller vintage building that is currently for sale (I'd buy it if I had the money).   My research found that:  "It was designed by English-born architect Charles Towle and erected in the early 1930s as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the building's Graeco-Roman facade has towering columns that frame its impressive entranceway, with three ornate timber doors decorated with leadlight inserts providing access to the expansive foyer. Arched ceilings dominate the former congregational high stud space beyond the foyer and numerous picturesque windows provide a light, airy feel and an ambience many office buildings lack. The building housed congregational and Sunday school services for 70 years until it was sold and converted into office space in 2003. A significant refurbishment was also carried out with care taken to ensure that the building's distinctive character remained intact. Special architectural ...
16 comments
Read more

Westland Explorer's Monument

  In the nearby town of Hokitka (half an hour away) is the cemetery with this monument near the entranceway. It commemorates 4 men who lost their lives between 1863 and 1866 ; George Dobson - road engineer, murdered in 1866 Charlton Howitt - explorer, drowned in Lake Brunner 1863 Charles Townsend - drowned at Greymouth (probably in the Grey River) 1863 Henry Whitcombe - surveyor, drowned in the Taramakau River in 1863 Construction of the memorial started 1868 and the railings were added in 1869. Linking up with  Mosaic Monday .
11 comments
Read more