Napier War Memorial
Napiers' reinstated war memorial pays homage to the 1957 Guy Natusch original. Plaques are displayed on a similar curved wall and elements from the much-loved memorial have returned, including the original birdbath and the eternal flame, symbolising an eternal soul for those who served and died in war. It’s worth noting the eternal flame was kept burning in storage for the 7 year period between the old and new memorials.
The design makes use of vertical louvres by the entranceway to guide guests to the door without breaking their view of the memorial. That view recedes down a covered walkway to a pond and the curved wall at the bottom, the sea in the distant background beyond that. On the curved wall sits the original Roll of Honour plaques, many of which are attached to the louvres which are positioned vertically to form the upper portion of the curve with 3 full length louvres seemingly floating above the pond.
Solaris 400-75 louvres are used at the entrance way in a vertical orientation, where they stand 2.8 metres tall and separate the main entrance and memorial without blocking the view. In total, 22 louvre blades were used, all finished in a Dulux Duratec Appliance White and attached via a custom designed spigot mount bracket. These fins cantilever 2.8m high with no top support to provide a seamless look, using a unique custom design mounting bracket.
The same Solaris louvres were used on the curved wall leading to the pond. Only these were finished in a Dulux Duratec Satin Black, similar to the colour of the original wall, and were shorter for the upper portion of the wall (1.4 metres) and longer (3 metres) at the very bottom by the pond. The vertical fins cantilever up to 3m high unsupported except at the base, and the full length louvres seemingly ‘float’ above the pool.
In between the two sets of louvres are a series of perforated aluminium soffit panels, on the underside of the canopy that runs alongside the length of the curved wall. Each panel features a standard dapple pattern and is fixed to timber framing. The finish varies, using the appliance white as the entranceway louvres, punctuated by small sections finished in a Dulux Duratec Intensity Flame or Resene Blue Diamond colour, both of which are accentuated by the integrated LED light strip guiding visitors along the walkway to the centre viewing platform
This finished war memorial matches a design that’s undoubtedly mindful of its purpose. Entering the building provides enough of a glimpse of the memorial to make visitors pause, even if just for a moment, causing them to reflect. For visitors to the memorial, the canopy guides their path, providing shelter so they can pay respect and remember without distraction from the elements. It makes for a place of peace, and a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives so we might enjoy it.
Architect Design Group Stapleton Elliot Contractor Atkin Construction
Location Napier
