The Mission House at Waimate holds the title of the second oldest standing building in New Zealand (1831). It was built after the Kemp House at nearby Kerikeri Mission Station, which was constructed in 1822.
The Mission house is interesting on account of some slightly odd and quirky architecture, as well as some atmospheric interior moments.
From the front of the house, all seems to be in symmetrical order, however from the side elevation the house seems sliced in half, and from a rather bulky behind project several quite unexpected angular roof forms.
Below is the porch, with exposed shingle canopy.
Inside one is enclosed in beautiful wide Kauri boards, lining the floors, walls and ceilings. The Kauri lining, architraves and door panels were hand adzed by Maori carpenters (Shaw, 2003).
Corridors are not well loved in this age of open floor areas, however I do appreciate a darkly glowing spectral hallway, the light at the end of the ‘tunnel’.
In this house the corridor divides the front rooms of the house from the back rooms, demarcating a change in territory from public to private. The narrow space contributes to the variety of ‘species of spaces’ (Perec).
Rongo pai, the missionaries ‘Good News’ flag under a dormer window.
A form of wall lighting - candles over the stairway.
Reference: Shaw, Peter (2003) A History of New Zealand Architecture, Rev 3rd Ed. Hodder Moa Beckett
