LoginJoin us
Register
Forgot Password
Add to Collection

The Beehive

Wellington, New Zealand
58974457-7d80-449f-a840-23586d7b5e1b.JPG
1 of 2

The Beehive is the common name for the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington. It is so-called because of its shape is reminiscent of that of a traditional woven form of beehive known as a skep. It is registered as a Category I heritage building by Heritage New Zealand. Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence provided the original conceptual design of the Beehive in 1964. The Beehive was built in stages between 1969 and 1979.

The building is ten storeys (72 m) high and has four floors below ground. The entrance foyer's core is decorated with marble floors, stainless steel mesh wall panels, and a translucent glass ceiling. The Beehive's brown roof is constructed from 20 tonnes of hand-welted and seamed copper.

Renovations were carried out and the interior was modernised between 1998 and 2006 to plans by Christchurch architecture firm Warren and Mahoney. In 2013 and 2014, the roof was repaired and windows replaced. In July 2015, Heritage New Zealand declared the Beehive "of outstanding heritage significance for its central role in the governance of New Zealand".

Go to article
bostjan, February 5th, 2017
Go to article