Blog 5: Locovisual

Opened by the Governor General, Vascount Galway in June of 1937, the "gate-way" to Wellington, at least for commuters such as myself, the “Wellington Railway Station”. 

Both Neo-Classical, Victorian and rococo influences reside In the embodiment of Wellington Railway stations architecture, which has also been nationally recognized with the architectural significance due to the design and development by Gray Young, Morton and Young, and physical construction by Fletcher Construction.

"Much of New Zealand's architecture has been strongly influenced by overseas trends. In the mid 19th century, British immigrants favored the building types they had left behind" (Swarbrick. N., ‘Creative life – Architecture’. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.). "Wellington Railway(train) Station" shows emphasis on this quotation, as it has it has strong links to the Neo-Classical architectural style.

The station portrays similarities of that of the  "Parthenon" which can be described as "The baseline for Neo-Classical taste and the greatest piece of ancient architecture",(J. Petty, personal communication, March 14, 2012.). As we see in the images below and above, a light, creamy exterior, smooth stone texture upon its classical, Parthenon throne.

 

Though classicism is the baseline influence, stated in the introduction, the "Rococo"  and Victorian styles also evident. Within the mantle of the station abides a Victorian, almost Gothic revival style clock of which rococo trim occupies the outer curb.  The rococo style was the ignition that pushed the limitations and boundaries of classical design with organic, curvilinear forms as we see trimmed around the clock evidence of this by leafy organic accents and ridged texture.

Though there many examples of mixed architectural design residing around the streets of Wellington, the Railway Station remains to be one of Wellingtons prides, historically and architecturally. 

Cracken, H. (2008). Wellington Railway Station. New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga. 

Retrieved from: 
http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=1452&m=Advanced 

Jason,P. (2012) The continuing Curve: Baroque and Rococo design [ PowerPoint slides]

Retrieved from:
http://schoolofdesign.ac.nz/mod/folder/view.php?id=434.

Nancy, S. 'Creative life - Architecture', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 15-Jun-10.

Retrieved from:
 http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/creative-life/4 

Sarah, C. (1730-2008).Rococo: The continuing surve. New York, NY:Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum.