New Girls’ High disappoints Chch Civic Trust

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 9

New Girls’ High disappoints Chch Civic Trust

The Christchurch Civic Trust is disappointed with the architecture of the new Christchurch Girls’ High School in Deans Avenue. “We are disappointed that possibly the last school to be built in Christchurch for a number of years does not reflect the character of Christchurch in its architecture," said the newly elected chairman of the trust, Mr John BrandtsGiesen, last evening. Mr Brandts-Giesen was elected chairman at a meeting of the Civic Trust board on Monday. “We are disappointed at the way the buildings have been sited extremely close to the main road. We would have liked to have seen them further away from the road,” he said. The board also expressed concern that there was little consultation between the board of governors and the

teachers on the architecture. Mr Brandts-Giesen said the Civic Trust’s board, which discussed the school at its meeting, felt that such a “superb site” had not been done justice. However, the board hoped that the landscaping which has yet to be completed would remedy matters. “We will not pass a final judgment until the job has been completed,” said Mr Brandts-Giesen. The Civic Trust board awaits a decision by the Minister of Lands on its submissions on the future use of the old Christchurch Girls’ High School. “We hope the buildings can be used for community purposes, as there are many organisations in Christchurch that are in need of accommodation,” said Mr Brandts-Giesen. The Arts Centre was one

venue that needed a larger site and for which the old. school would be most suitable, he said. Expanding the Arts Centre to the old Girls’ High School site would ensure that a historic Christchurch building would be given a use which would pay its own way. “The Arts Centre has certainly proved it can pay for itself,” said Mr BrandtsGiesen. Mr Brandts-Giesen has taken over the role of chairman from Mr Graeme Robertson, who is retiring after three years as chairman, to take up a senior position in architecture at the University of Auckland. Mr Robertson, who will start his new job at the end of August, has been associated with the Civic Trust for about 12 years.