At the Whanganui War Memorial Centre, the responsibility was clear: strengthen an important civic building while respecting its meaning and place in the community. Opened in 1960 and listed as a Heritage Category 1 building, the Hall plays a central role in remembrance and public life.
BSM Group Architects led the seismic strengthening and refurbishment in collaboration with Whanganui District Council, BPL Group, Bruce Dickson Architect, and WW Construction. The project carefully retained the building’s architectural form while introducing the structural upgrades needed for long-term resilience.
The completed work has given the War Memorial Centre a renewed future, while preserving an important piece of New Zealand’s architectural and cultural history.