Rose Historic Chapel
Rose Historic Chapel
| Client | Higgs Construction |
| Location | Christchurch |
| Services | Project Planning |
| Value | $5 million |
The stone Rose Chapel is a Category Two Historic Place, built in the English Gothic Revival style in 1910.
Severely damaged in the February 2011 earthquake when part of the gable walls collapsed and the rose wheel at the front fell in, the chapel has undergone a two year restoration process involving over 40 specialist contractors who merged modern repair techniques with traditional stone masonry skills.
Inovo was engaged by the main contractor early in the project, initially providing a tender programme which was updated to a detailed construction programme once the project was awarded. Works included securing the building before stripping it back; installing new foundation beams under the gable-end walls and tying in the existing foundations; creating roof diaphragms and rebuilding the gable walls with salvaged and new stone. The original staircase was damaged beyond repair and has been replaced with a wrought iron staircase from the demolished Regent Theatre. The marble alter was reinstated.
Inovo continued to support the contractor throughout the works, monitoring and updating the programme as the project evolved. Considerable resequencing was required as elements of the chapel were deconstructed and it became evident that initial engineering solutions would not be viable. Inovo was also able to assist the contractor with avoiding penalty for delays that were outside of their control.
The chapel has retained many of its original features including the hammer beam trusses. It is home to one of the finest collections of Victorian stained glass windows in New Zealand. All of the stained glass windows, including the rose window, have been reconstructed.
The project was recognised in the Heritage Category at the New Zealand Institute of Architecture Canterbury Awards in June 2019.