Arrowtown Fuel Facility by Chaney & Norman Architects

Arrowtown Fuel Facility

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Location: Arrowtown Photography: Graham Warman Photography The announcement of a new petrol station in the heart of a small Central Otago goldmining settlement can be the sort of thing to raise concern with locals who are conscious of their town’s heritage design values. Thanks to the careful consideration of this project’s impact by client and architect, the modern fuel station sits respectfully within its heritage setting. Located on the corner of Wiltshire and Birkshire Streets in Arrowtown, this RD Petroleum self-service station is placed in the heart of the “old town”; just a stone’s throw from the heritage town centre. Whilst perhaps not the usual development to express architecturally, there were both opportunities, and challenges to marry the standardised nature of a franchised utility with the aesthetic and cultural values of a heritage goldmining settlement. Arrowtown’s design guidelines are strictly monitored by the Arrowtown Planning Advisory Group and aim to preserve the sense of place with careful consideration of scale, heritage fabric, and setting. Major concerns exist around the loss of heritage fabric, and the introduction of larger scale developments that do not reflect the small scale of existing cottages and garden walls. However, a modern fuel station has requirements that cannot easily be ignored such as scale of forecourt; brand, and emergency signage; safety equipment, and acoustic dampening. Many of which may not obviously align with the heritage values. This project blends these functional requirements of the station, with the heritage values of the town using natural materials at a scale that is sympathetic to the settlement. The biggest challenge was the expanse of the forecourt. A variety of paving types pick up on local, and historic, materiality in order to visually reduce the amount of hard surfaces. The low stone walls used around the site are especially typical of the rural areas of Speargrass flat surrounding Arrowtown. Paired with the retention of the mature heritage trees on the site, the project takes on an openness and scale similar to a historic domain or churchyard in this heritage town. The project is able to serve its standardised function whilst respecting it's unique surroundings.

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fuel heritage integrated traditional functional utility landscape corporate

Project team

Chaney & Norman Architects

A thoughtfully designed fuel facility in Arrowtown that harmonizes modern functionality with the heritage values of a historic goldmining settlement, utilizing natural materials and sympathetic scale to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

Location:

Arrowtown

Photography:

Graham Warman Photography

The announcement of a new petrol station in the heart of a small Central Otago goldmining settlement can be the sort of thing to raise concern with locals who are conscious of their town’s heritage design values. Thanks to the careful consideration of this project’s impact by client and architect, the modern fuel station sits respectfully within its heritage setting.

Located on the corner of Wiltshire and Birkshire Streets in Arrowtown, this RD Petroleum self-service station is placed in the heart of the “old town”; just a stone’s throw from the heritage town centre. Whilst perhaps not the usual development to express architecturally, there were both opportunities, and challenges to marry the standardised nature of a franchised utility with the aesthetic and cultural values of a heritage goldmining settlement.

Arrowtown’s design guidelines are strictly monitored by the Arrowtown Planning Advisory Group and aim to preserve the sense of place with careful consideration of scale, heritage fabric, and setting. Major concerns exist around the loss of heritage fabric, and the introduction of larger scale developments that do not reflect the small scale of existing cottages and garden walls.

However, a modern fuel station has requirements that cannot easily be ignored such as scale of forecourt; brand, and emergency signage; safety equipment, and acoustic dampening. Many of which may not obviously align with the heritage values.

This project blends these functional requirements of the station, with the heritage values of the town using natural materials at a scale that is sympathetic to the settlement. The biggest challenge was the expanse of the forecourt. A variety of paving types pick up on local, and historic, materiality in order to visually reduce the amount of hard surfaces. The low stone walls used around the site are especially typical of the rural areas of Speargrass flat surrounding Arrowtown. Paired with the retention of the mature heritage trees on the site, the project takes on an openness and scale similar to a historic domain or churchyard in this heritage town.

The project is able to serve its standardised function whilst respecting it's unique surroundings.

3.5K1h 21m

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Professional Reviews

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“We’re often asked what we love about our home. Put most simply, it feels good to be in every room. We love the flow, how spaces are defined and linked, and the natural light in our home. The house was designed specifically for our site. We enjoy total privacy from the road and protection from the southern aspect. As soon as we walk in the front door the house opens up to allow unimpeded views from floor to ceiling of the lake and mountains to the north. Views of more than 180 degrees from edge to edge are delivered to every living area and to the master bedroom. The small open courtyard around which our house is built is a much-loved feature. It is open to the sky and fully glazed with sliders, so it offers passage through to every side of the house as well as introducing light into every space. Because of the interior courtyard there isn’t a single corridor in our home. And it’s is a nice sheltered spot for a first coffee. The den is hunkered down on the southern side of the house so you might expect it to be colder and darker. Instead it’s a room for all seasons. We have spectacular views to the north directly through the interior courtyard and the other living areas. The winter sun streams into the den via this courtyard. We appreciate the flexibility to re-purpose the den, made possible by the courtyard. Whilst there is usually both a visual & physical connection through the fully glazed courtyard into the den, it can be closed down to give privacy to anyone wanting “time out” or a separate work space. Adjacent to the kitchen and dining area, facing north to the lake, is an outdoor room we have called our Dropzone. It is nestled a few steps down against the house for wind protection, and to allow for uninterrupted views from the kitchen out to the lake. With the roof continued over and with a glass balustrade, we can enjoy our Dropzone even in mid-winter on a sunny day. Another part of our home we love! We knew we were building a home with energy and thermal efficiency but we have tended to take it for granted until we’ve visited some other homes in winter! It’s one of the behind-the-scene things we appreciate about our house. We love our elegantly simple home with clean lines. Our architect thought outside the square to deliver what lies within the exterior walls.”

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