Beehive design a break from stodgy conformity
THE Beehive may have been drawn up on a napkin – at least that has always been the story – but British architect Sir Basil Spence’s unique design has become a symbol of Wellington.
It has played host to some remarkable happenings in its time, but its construction was also remarkable.
Parliament House had had a lopsided look since 1922, when the money behind the rebuild from the 1907 fire ran out.
There was periodic discussion about finishing the job but it wasn’t until 1964 that the government decided to do something about it.
Spence’s bold design called for the neo-classical Parliament building to be extended with a modernist epic unlike anything the country had seen before.
As The Evening Post put it on the day the drawings were unveiled, April 2, 1964: ‘‘Whatever the final form, sights have at least been lifted well away from stodgy conformity . . . even those whose first reaction was to boggle somewhat must find themselves thinking more widely than they did initially.
‘‘Will it be Sir Basil’s beehive?’’ the paper asked. ‘‘Here is an opportunity for something strikingly unique for the capital. Even if it is not what Sir Basil likes to call his beehive it has shown the way.’’
The design – and the cost to build it – was approved.
Construction began in 1969. Slowly, the Beehive took shape, rising out of Parliament hill.
The Queen, on her Jubilee tour, officially opened the building in February 1977 and also christened its banqueting room. The Post reported the ‘‘usually large number of pot plants [in Parliament] has been increased considerably for the occasion’’.
Bellamy’s served Waitangi rock melon, cream of chicken soup, fillet steak bearnaise with mushrooms, tomatoes, courgettes and Pukekohe potatoes.
‘‘The dessert will be meringue with kiwifruit, cheese and biscuits, fresh fruit and coffee.’’
The restaurant’s manager said he did not anticipate any problems but, during a trial banquet a few weeks before, the food hoists had broken down and engineers would make sure it didn’t happen again. Ministers moved in – finally – in 1979. Over the years, some have found their offices a pleasure, while others have endured misery in them as their careers turn to ash before their eyes. The Dominion Post – 150 Years of News is available via dompost.co.nz or 0800 50 50 90. Priced at $34.95 + $3 postage and handling or $29.95 + $3 p&h for subscribers.