Restoration of Ivey West and Memorial Hall

In June 2022, Lincoln University Council approved a project to reconstruct and restore Ivey West and Memorial Hall, two of the University’s most recognisable buildings which were severely damaged in the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

The redevelopment project, which commenced in December 2022, comprised structural strengthening and internal and external restoration and refurbishment works to restore the Category 1 historic buildings to their former glory and iconic status at the heart of campus.

Heritage architect and Lincoln University alumnus, William Fulton (Team Architects) crafted a design that fulfilled the requirements of Heritage New Zealand, the consenting unit of Selwyn District Council and the brief provided by Lincoln University user groups and stakeholders. Cook Brothers were appointed to undertake the redevelopment project, and the work was completed in December 2024.

The fully restored Ivey West and Memorial Hall buildings were officially opened in February 2025, and the restored internal spaces are now home to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Te Manutaki, Alumni and Development Office, the Project Management Office, Strategic Communications and various meeting spaces.

Western entrance to Ivey West

The proud history of Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall was built in the 1920s to commemorate Lincoln staff and students who lost their lives during the Great War of 1914-1918, and also acknowledges the losses suffered during the South African War and World War Two.

In January 1998 Memorial Hall featured in world news when it was the venue for peace talks between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, culminating in the Lincoln Agreement which ended 10 years of civil war in Bougainville. The talks were hosted by then-Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley and then-Foreign Affairs Minister and Lincoln alumnus, Sir Don McKinnon, who was nominated for the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to reach the Lincoln Agreement.

The restored Memorial Hall, showcasing its magnificently restored and earthquake-strengthened vaulted ceiling, memorial plaques and towering windows, now hosts many University events, alumni gatherings and Council meetings.

Memorial Hall

Ivey West

The west wing of Ivey Hall was added to Ivey Hall in 1881 and originally provided study and accommodation for around 30 students.

The building’s internal kauri staircase has been beautifully restored and a custom wool carpet, featuring the University’s crest, laid on the stairs and in Memorial Hall.

Restored kauri staircase

Cultural artwork

The patterned wallpaper, applied in the entrance areas and break-out spaces, features a stunning design by Morgan Darlison of Kaitiaki Studios, and represents various aspects of our takiwā (region), the local flora and fauna and the narratives.

Morgan also designed the glass manifestations, which have been drawn from the wallpaper design, and relate to the ebb and flow of the waterways and the mauri of the water to sustain all living things. Growth, cultivation and regeneration.

The Tāniko design has been applied to glass doors, including the main entry to Ivey West. This design was developed to contrast with the curve-linear forms within the wallpaper, and uses the same angles and shapes found on the external gables, recognising the architecture. Morgan Darlison used these forms to create a traditional Tāniko pattern, which is used to adorn the most prestigious garments. The pattern depicts a Kaokao – said to depict the ribs, recognising strength, protection and movement.

Several of the offices and meeting rooms incorporate a feature wall, using the Tāniko pattern, rotated to depict a pātiki (flounder) design, recognising another important species to the takiwā.

Floc acoustic panels

Some of the rooms boast feature walls fitted with floc panels, crafted from 8-10mm pure strong wool and directly fixed to the walls.

The innovative wool technology was developed by WRONZ in partnership with Lincoln University, Lincoln Agritech and AgResearch.

The floc acoustic wall panels are fire resistant and free from chemicals, metals and toxins, and have been likened to ‘acoustic wallpaper’.

Floc panel

Images supplied by Cook Brothers