Exploring possibilities for Cargill's Castle

A new exhibition reveals second-year Architecture students’ visions for the abandoned ruin, Cargill's Castle.

Their work aims to provide inspiration for the future development of this significant Dunedin heritage site, which is not currently open to the public.

Invited by the Cargill's Castle Trust to visit the site last year, 28 Bachelor of Architectural Studies students have created potential concepts for its future.

“This major project proposed a metamorphosis – to breathe new life into the abandoned site, restore its cultural significance and foster a space where nature and humanity could peacefully coexist,” explains School of Architecture Lecturer, Graeme Campbell.

An exhibition of the students’ work is on display at the School of Architecture in the O Block Atrium until Wednesday 1 April.

"The exhibition opening was the first opportunity for the Trust to see the outcomes of the project," Graeme says. "While they have some ideas of their own for the site, they were excited by the possibilities and inspiration provided by the students’ work."

The students were free to explore all options for the castle and its surrounds, but part of their brief was to add a new building to the site.

Katie Child’s subterranean extension to the castle (pictured above) was inspired by the stunning coastal view.

“The castle has such a big presence, so I decided to go underground with my design to make the most of the view and to not take away from the castle itself. I incorporated a monolithic concrete block because Cargill’s Castle was one of the first concrete buildings in New Zealand.”

Alexia Jones drew her vision from the gardens, stables and glasshouse that were originally part of the estate.

“I wanted to create a garden and a shelter inspired by the original glasshouse. From there, you can see the castle from all different angles and also enjoy the coastal view.”

Other projects included designs that reflected the site’s heritage, tangata whenua histories and structures that challenged colonialism.

“This was a challenging project for the second-year students,” Graeme says. “They worked hard to take their designs to the next level and have produced some outstanding work.”

You can read more about the exhibition in the Otago Daily Times (Subscriber article)