Everyone across the globe loves traveling more often than not. Travel builds our inner beings through the exploration of new cultures, places, and social environs. A set of people from the society who refer to themselves as ‘Architects’ are usually ‘wired for wanderlust’. Whenever we travel, for leisure or business, our brains invariably function as the creative beings we tend to be and are always scanning for ideas and learning from our surroundings. Every place owns a significant character and peculiar identity, even if its the town next to us. Architects are travelers more often than tourists and experience places with a different eye and distinctive understanding. For us architects, countless places around the world are worthy of paying a visit, which expands new horizons of imagination and learning, and are not to miss.
One of many such places happens to be Queenstown, New Zealand. Nestled in the foothills of mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak, Queenstown enjoys enthralling views of Lake Wakatipu. Widely known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’, here visitors may enjoy extreme sports like bungee jumping or might just curl up in a cozy cup of coffee and relax. Out of many places in Queenstown that should be on the must-visit list of architects, out of all people, here’s a list of fifteen amazing places to be:
Arrowtown, Queenstown
Sitting alongside the arrow river, is the historic gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. Along the 110 kilometer well thought out trail of Queenstown, this modest and charming town is just 20 minutes away. This delightful town of a colonial setting, offers everything for an architect from outstanding scenarios of nature to a rich heritage of historic buildings and picturesque streetscape. Offering information of history of this town and its heritage, The Lakes District Museum is a must visit for architects.
Bob’s Peak and Skyline Gondola
Nothing beats enjoying aerial views that tell stories of the town. For this adventurous town, this beauty is best enjoyed at Bob’s Peak and by Skyline Gondola. Architects are suckers for the affair between natural and cultural heritage. They would climb a mountain to see nature reveling at its best. This Is exactly what Bob’s Peak and Skyline Gondola has to offer. It is one of the highest peaks of Queenstown and offers serene views of nature and the town. It can be reached by either hiking or taking a trip in the cable car gondola ride. Here one can enjoy panoramic views of the southern alps across lake Wakatipu and the skyline of the town (One can consider paragliding to the bottom)
The Remarkables and Remarkables’ Market
The Remarkables mountain ranges enfold Queenstown on the east. The top of the Mountains can be reached by a long twisting road but the journey overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu is just as beautiful as the destination. Don’t miss the drive up Remarkables, which by the way is just as Remarkable. The Remarkables also serve a home to beautiful ski fields for all kinds of skiers. The location and elevation can attract architects like a magnet and the ski field also boasts a new base building that would get an architect excited.
The market at Remarkables Park known as the Remarkables market boasts a magnificent market of unique arts and craft stalls along with awesome breakfast and lunch varieties. To add to this, live music performances are held and the remarkable View of the remarkables in the backdrops adds to the glory. This market is also journeying towards one of the first zero waste markets in New Zealand.
Marine Parade
The marine parade is a well maintained set of lawns that overlook Lake Wakatipu. Marine Parade is a one stop shop for Architects as it has everything from magnificent Views of the lake to modest restored cafes like The Bathhouse. It also serves home to the fallen soldiers’ memorial which marks the entrance of Marine Parade and is talked about later on in this article.
The bathhouse cafe has its own history and dates back to 1911 and speaks of its time while also being timeless. It is a classic example of regal architecture boasting floor to ceiling windows and should be on the must visit list of architects visiting here. In 1990 this cafe was restored and became a studio and later turned the cafe that it is right now.
Vesta Design Boutique
This is THE place where architects may go crazy over cute collectibles and fancy items of design. The “undiscovered” jewel boasts a wide collection of Art, Design, Gifts, Jewellery, Glass, Ceramics, a virtually endless array of products. This place once discovered, will often be revisited.
Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial
Nothing intrigues architects like the history of a place and we believe every place has a story to tell. This War Memorial in Queenstown doesn’t fail to convey its emotions to the Visitors and is a place worthy of paying a visit. This memorial pays its tribute to the brave Soldiers of World War One. At the inception of the design, two suggestions were made as to what form this memorial should take. One was a children’s play area where they could grow healthily and remember the tribute of the soldiers lives which enabled them to flourish
Safely. Another was a memorial arch to be erected on the gateway of Queenstown Garden. The later one took its shape in 1922. On one side are the names of those who died in service and on the other are the names of all those who served. This visit can be planned along with Queenstown Gardens.
Art Bay Gallery
Art Bay Gallery is a modest gallery on the first floor of restored historic mountaineer Building which houses works of many award winning artists. Art and architecture Go hand in hand and architects are appreciators of art. This is a perfect place to behold mind-blowing artworks from master landscape artists to contemporary fine art and sculp ture. Not only that, the Masonic Lodge is the oldest stone structure in town.
“When an artwork captures you, it can be the start of a lifelong relationship. Over lifetime, your art collection becomes a vehicle for you to express yourself and your personality through.” – Gallery Director Pauline Bianchi
Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market
The “Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Markets” takes place in a vibrant colourful arena, where both forms of art, visual and performing, happen together for locals and visitors to enjoy.
“ Architecture is just art we live in.”
The market takes place every Saturday on the lakefront at Earnslaw Park in Queenstown.
Glenorchy
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is a 45 minute drive packed with surreal views and representations of nature at its best. This is the place where many scenes from The movies Lord of the Rings Trilogy were shot, including the Dart River valley, which is home to Isengard. On the way are delightful scenes of nature and winding roads and lakes.
Queenstown Garden
Enjoying lush Landscapes, the gardens will serve as a pause point and give you a chance to enjoy peaceful tranquility. This botanic garden is well kept and is a 10-minute walk from the city. The gardens were originally planned in 1867 and now contain a vast collection of both native and international plant species, including a large sweep of Douglas fir trees. The gardens are most famous for their historic oak and fir trees, which were planted by Queenstown’s first mayor in 1866. There is also a lovely rose garden here and a restored band rotunda dating from 1891.
Peters Anglican Church
Filled with mesmerizing details and regal architecture, this church is a not to miss in Queenstown.This pretty Anglican church was built in 1932. Studded with local greywacke stone, has impressive colourful stained glass this idyllic church is a must see for architects visiting here.The eagle-shaped cedar lectern, carved and donated in 1874 by John Ah Tong, a Chinese immigrant, is noteworthy.It also possesses a memorial of the victims of World War Two.
Peregrine Winery
Peregrine WineryThis award-winning winery in Queenstown is designed to resemble the wing of a Falcon in flight. Marveling both in design and construction, its use of space and Light has brought itself to the attention of the world of architecture. The concrete entrance ramp takes the visitor down directly to the heart of the winemaking operation: a 40m long ‘cave’ with lines of oak barrels stretching to an entertaining courtyard. The 140m long ‘fly’ roof is both pragmatic and symbolic. It provides the water proofing and support for snow loadings as well as improving the environmental performance of the serviced boxes below by removing most of the solar loading. This Winery should be on the’ not to miss list ‘of all architects.
The Old Library Building
This Old Library Building was originally designed by F. W. Burwell. It is believed that this building was given its shape by George Richard Bishop, a stone mason, who migrated from Canada to New Zealand in the 1860s. The library was completed in 1877. It had an identical courthouse building across the street and both were constructed using local schist and are now considered to be the gateway to the local central business district.
Hulbert House
Hulbert HouseDating back to 1888, the Hulbert house is a beautiful Victorian villa which Is restored and now takes the form of a boutique hotel. It is an award winning Structure and immersed in authentic history. It has six rooms which boast Stunning views of the lake Wakatipu and Skyline Hills. Hulbert House has an old soul, but a new spirit. A careful transformation of the interiors and grounds has created a boutique retreat brimming with vintage style. It’s every inch a timeless treasure, from the Bakelite light switches down to the cast iron radiators.
Eichardt’s Hotel
This historic hotel is located on the corner of marine parade and possess unique Historical significance. Built formerly by William Gilbert Rees, after the site being declared as the field of gold rush, he turned it into a hotel. Since then many alterations Were done to the name and the form of the hotel but its character was kept intact and is now functioning as the Eichardt’s Hotel.
