'Sahara' Dines Out on Heritage Award
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information release
10 October 2005
One of Kaipara's landmark heritage buildings has received official recognition
for its outstanding new colour scheme.
The Sahara Restaurant, which operates out of the historic former National
Bank building in Paparoa, won the prestigious Aalto Heritage Colour Restoration
Award presented at the New Zealand Historic Places Trust's 50th Anniversary
Heritage Award ceremony in Napier last week.
The award marks the complete transformation of what was a run-down looking
building into a source of local pride according to Sahara owners Nik Hendriksen
and Fiona Stark.
"We're absolutely thrilled to receive this award - not just for
ourselves but for the whole Paparoa community," says Nik.
"We love this building, and wanted to do the best we could for it."
The award, recognising an outstanding colour scheme that sympathetically
restores the historic character of a building, reflects a huge amount
of work done by many people according to Nik.
"We worked closely with consultant architect Ian Bowman whose choice
of colour scheme was really inspiring. It was also something of a learning
curve, as I had to come to grips with the different architectural features
of the building Ian was describing in his plan - and try to visualise
how they would look in the different colours."
"We were also impressed with the high quality of the workmanship
of painting contractor Steve George. He and his team did a superb job."
Judges praised the successful use of authentic colours to restore the
building - which was completed in 1914 - to its former glory, and were
particularly impressed with the use of colour to highlight the decorative
relief detail and window joinery as well as other features of the building.
They also acknowledged the fact that only four colours were chosen, keeping
it from becoming too busy, and allowing "the beautiful architecture
to speak for itself".
According to Nik the repainted building has had a positive effect on
Paparoa.
"Since the Sahara was repainted, two other shops in Paparoa have
painted their historic buildings in a similar way. This appears to be
fostering a real sense of local pride and rejuvenation of the town."
A strong sense of identification with the historic building by locals
reflects a strong commitment to the local community by Nik, partner Fiona
who is the chef, and the restaurant team.
"We make a point of using locally grown produce and ingredients
in our menu - including venison, pork, kumara and seafood and we've had
a lot of support from local people who have really got behind us. This
building is a place for the community, and has become something of a second
home for many where they can enjoy fine food in a relaxed environment,"
he says.
"The painting of the Sahara is something we've been able to do for
the community."
For Stuart Park, the Historic Places Trust's Northland Area Manager,
Sahara's award shows how a historic building can enjoy a new life beyond
its original intended purpose.
"This is a perfect example of how a Category I historic place can
be adaptively reused successfully and transformed into a vibrant, living
building which is now a source of great community pride," he says.
Three other buildings from around the country received highly commended
awards from Aalto Colour - the Alexandra Courthouse Cafe (Central Otago),
the Clevedon homestead (Auckland) and St Thomas Church (Outram).
Contact for further information:
Nik Hendriksen, tel 09 431-6833
For more information on Aalto Colour paints please visit www.aaltocolour.com
or call 0800 225 862
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