Monday 22 April 2013 9:52am
Heritage Festival Director Chris Green and University Property Services Resource Planner Katrina Roos
The University of Otago is opening the doors of the Dunedin campus’s buildings to the public as part of the city’s Heritage Festival this month.
“The University has very kindly worked to open up as many buildings as it can for a day of tours, music and activities. Many Dunedin people drive past the University every day, but have never been inside its many fascinating buildings. This is a great opportunity to encourage people on to the campus to have a look,” Dunedin Heritage Festival Director Chris Green says.
University of Otago Property Services Resource Planner Katrina Roos says free guided and self-guided tours have been organised to take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 27 April. Events will be based out of the Link building, which joins the Student Union and Central Library on Cumberland St.
“There will be two guided tours of the core campus heritage precinct and one tour of the Health Science precinct, which includes the Lindo Ferguson, Scott and Marples (Zoology) buildings and the Dental School. These tours include visits to some of the varied museums on campus, including the Anatomy Museum. Those taking part will hear some great historical tales from the University’s past,” Ms Roos says.
“Michael Findlay will conduct a tour entitled, ‘Loving the Unloved’, taking in the less photogenic buildings on a campus tour. He’ll also walk people through the Campus Master Plan of possible future campus development, with the help of displays in the Link.
“A sustainability tour will take in the University buildings built or modified to reduce environmental impacts and improve energy efficiencies. Some of their design features, such as the green roof on the Psychology building, are very interesting and may become the heritage of the future.”
The Link will also contain displays of historic photographs and drawings, plus campus development models from years past, which, Ms Roos says, often differ greatly from the campus of today.
Mr Green adds: “We’ll also provide material for young people to make their own cardboard models of heritage buildings. And there will be a range of musical entertainment in the Student Union Hall offered by the Music Department.”
The De Beer Gallery in the Central Library will also be open for the occasion. Its current exhibition celebrates the 50th Jubilee of Pharmacy at Otago.
The University will also host celebrated New Zealand architect Ian Athfield as he presents his thoughts on community and heritage during the NZ Historic Places Trust RA Lawson public lecture at the St David St Lecture Theatre at 5.30pm, Friday 26 April. This event is being organised by its co-sponsors, the NZ Institute of Architects and the NZ Historic Places Trust.
For a full Dunedin Heritage Festival programme including details of the campus open day, see: www.dunedinnz.com/heritagefestival.
Contact:
Director Heritage Festival Chris Green
Email: director@scifest.org.nz
Ph: 64 3 474 9256
www.dunedinnz.com/heritagefestival
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