Balmoral, Auckland has some great hidden spaces around its heritage architecture.
![Capitol Cinema Balmoral drawings](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YbwpjvotPsYGrMm0ZmMUUCOroWVwbwZz38KpmX-kFGyORsHS996zmwBHFUWtlU2WXjVHig4kwmoMmHoD3JCnwqsKkWJ2_wCEg6FDfLYgXy7fGNuLvJzeKRxhByyJQQnXcxPrZIZOn_Y_/s400/Capitol+Cinema.jpg) |
Capitol Cinema |
Although humble in scale and ornament, Balmoral contains a whole heap of heritage architecture that speaks of a semi-urban condition. Most of the buildings are 2 storey with residential uses often on top. In recent times there are some which have become commercial too, with doors leading up a long flight of stairs to some great eateries (eg Gogo Music Cafe, My Kitchen)
![Ngaire Chambers heritage architecture Balmoral](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWWNl2hVuwSZiw274TXDKlZdyEjUZy727w6Gp3QV3H1gMJHFC-QKXDoWIxtZN-Dzsb8-tToI8CYLTxjko3rWRiDj4TkSSIXOnck8agP-0k801CAGWVd4RYBdES6ADoPV65owQNsV_dqAe/s400/Ngaire+Chambers.jpg) |
Ngaire Chambers |
Balmoral maintains a strong flat frontage to Dominion Road. A part of its character, but it also leaves little room for variety or on street usage. The heritage front is accompanied by a rather messy feeling, haphazard back end - there are strong service lanes on both sides of Dominion Road with some very interesting spaces.
The buildings have changed from use to use over the years - the most valued heritage building, the Capitol Cinema, went from a theatre to what is now part theatre, part climbing wall and mah-jong hall, to name a few. The service lane doubles as a residential mini-street with laundry hanging, people meeting and talking. The Warehouse orientates itself to utilise the service lane too, making a more Asian street feeling, multipurpose space than the mainstreet. I've no doubt I'll be making use of these spaces in my project as much as the street front.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruCwoh3n7wEqD9wIDj4EvfbE22Atqenq8mNGQZQhcndSBnrIw34n5p_IJ6r3-r9QAtwrew1u4rwCppDYuPgElvwoXvpW6HhhM8p8AzDdxBmwWCMUbDdjHbZtTl4FL16udx1Y0qPGeQXBH/s400/Panorama4.jpg) |
Behind the row of shops, a condition very different from the street front. |
Currently modelling a part of the Balmoral shops, investigating a potential intervention.
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