New signage has gone up at the Annie Stevenson Building.
The signs are up and it’s official.
The building previously known as the Consumer and Applied Sciences or ‘CApSc’ building is now the Annie Stevenson Building.
Renamed after one of the University’s most generous benefactors, the Annie Stevenson Building was originally built in 1923 to house the then Home Science School.
Annie Stevenson was one of the first two graduates of Otago’s Home Science School. She later gifted her family residence, the University Lodge, Pa Waitaha, to the University in 1950.
The Lodge has since served as the Vice Chancellor’s residence, and as a function and events venue for the University.
She also donated £10,000 (around $700,000 in today’s money) to help build a new block at the then Home Science School Hostel, Studholme House (now Studholme College), in 1955.
Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says it is fitting that one of the University’s most significant heritage buildings now carries the name of one of its most generous benefactors.
The only known photo of Annie Stevenson, with her Great Dane ‘Major Grey’, alongside Sue Mackie and her son Andrew at St Leonards in 1950. PHOTO: Professor John (Jack) Mackie
“Annie Stevenson’s generosity and commitment to the University of Otago have had a lasting impact across generations. Renaming this building in her honour recognises not only her remarkable contribution to Home Science, but also the enduring legacy she has left for our community.
“We have consulted her relatives and they are delighted that she has been recognised in this way.”
Grant says staff put a massive effort into retaining the character of one of Otago’s historic buildings, while adapting it for today’s work environment.
“The Annie Stevenson Building features open-plan design, which better fits modern working styles. It has had a complete seismic upgrade, while maintaining many of its heritage features.”
Most of the staff who relocated to the building moved from the University Clocktower, which will be reenvisioned, he says.
“I am excited about the potential plans for making the University’s Clocktower Building more accessible to past and present staff and students, and the wider public.”
Around 70 University staff, including the Vice-Chancellor and Senior Leadership team, moved from the Clocktower to the Annie Stevenson Building last October.
The Annie Stevenson Building recently won a Property Industry Award for its adaptive reuse of a Category I heritage building.
An official opening for the building is planned for the near future, Grant says.
-Kōrero by Kerry Dohig, Communications Adviser Projects and the Development and Alumni Relations Office
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