Page 11 - pākuViews Summer 2013
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This humble Kiwi bach on Rangitoto Island made the big league
by winning an international award for heritage conservation • a
first for New Zealand, putting the unassuming Kiwi bach on the
world stage.
Built in 1928, “Bach 38” was restored and then adapted into
a museum offering a glimpse into bach life, and the UNESCO
Asia-Pacific Heritage Honourable Mention Award recognized the
importance of bach settlements in New Zealand as architectural and
social history.
Susan Yoffe of the Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust says
that the bach restoration took four years. “Volunteers carried out this
labour of love under the guidance of conservation architects and
professional builders”. (Four years? Wonder how many weekends it
took to hammer it together initially with nary a professional in sight.)
See good.net.nz/magazine/4/the-goods/bach-to-basics for more
about the ‘bach community’ on Rangitoto Island.
Many artists and photographers are keen to capture the charm of
the iconic bach (for you overseas visitors, it’s pronounced “batch”).
Above left, cover artist Rachel Olsen makes “Little Cove Bach”
dance with life.
Former
PakuViews
cover artist Souzie Speerstra also finds these
baches irresistible. “I myself connect with this Kiwi ingenuity, the
‘number 8 wire’ mentality that reflects the character of the unique
people who built them, using whatever they had on hand”.
Seen above is her “Paku Bach” which seems, from the condition
of the flower beds, still well tended and loved. Left inset is “The Old
Utility” which reflects typical old bach architecture.
Bach 38
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Before
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Bach 38
‘
After
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