Client Case Study: Hidden On Show

The University of Otago’s iconic Clock Tower is more than just masonry and clockwork, it is the backdrop for thousands of graduation photos and a symbol of New Zealand’s academic heritage.

When Salmond Reed Architects and the University of Otago faced a logistical nightmare, essential stone conservation clashing with the mid-May Capping Ceremony, they didn't settle for “eyesore” scaffolding. Instead, they reached out to us to create a photographic precedent for heritage sites in New Zealand.

The Challenge - Protection vs Presentation

The Clock Tower was shrouded in scaffolding for vital survey and repair work. Normally, for a high-profile event like the Capping Ceremony, the university would face a difficult choice to either dismantle the scaffold at an immense cost only to re-erect it weeks later, or leave the scaffold up, potentially ruining the graduation photos of hundreds of students.

Salmond Reed Architects proposed a third, more creative option - Photographic Scrim. Inspired by European heritage sites, the goal was to cover the scaffold with a life-sized, high-resolution photograph of the building itself.

What We Did

The clock was ticking, quite literally on this one! Because the scaffolding hadn't originally been designed to hold large-scale banners, our team had to work in close coordination with United Scaffold and Salmond Reed to find a structural and aesthetic fit. Using rectified survey photographs provided by the architects, we went to work on a massive scale.

• Precision Printing: We printed high-durability PVC mesh sections to withstand the Dunedin wind.
• Massive Scale: We welded the sections into four enormous banners. The largest two panels measured 18m x 8.5m and 18m x 9m.
• Seamless Installation: We hemmed the edges and used heavy-duty eyelets to cable-tie the building directly onto the scaffolding frame.

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The Results

The result was a scale replica of the Clock Tower that allowed stone conservation to continue behind the scenes while providing a "clean" architectural backdrop for the public. Salmond Reed and Otago University staff were delighted with the end result and received many very positive comments.  

The project set a new precedent for heritage building work in New Zealand. By opting for a photographic shroud, the University saved the significant costs of dismantling scaffolding while ensuring the campus remained "photo-ready" for its most important day of the year.

"Everyone worked so hard together as a team to achieve as good as possible solution for the Graduates’ special day." Candida Rolla, Master Degree in Architecture and Heritage Conservation, Salmond Reed Architecture Ltd.

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