Beehive (Wellington)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beehive (built in several stages between 1969 and 1979)

Beehive is the nickname and common name of the part of New Zealand's parliament buildings where the offices of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers are located and where the Cabinet holds its session.

The building

The beehive , which was built in several sections from 1969 to 1979, is 72 meters high and has 14 floors, ten above ground and four as basements. The base of the building is rectangular and measures 83 by 64 meters. The round building has a diameter of around 55 meters at the bottom and tapers up to 31 meters at the dome. An underground corridor connects the building with Bowen House , where members of parliament and ministers have their offices. The visitor center is located in the entrance hall, the foyer, while the Banquet Hall , the largest room in the entire parliament building complex, can be found on the first floor . The hall is designed for state banquets for up to 300 people.

At the top of the 10th floor of the building is the Prime Minister's office . The government cabinet also meets here. Government officials work on levels nine and eight, and the ministers and their employees have their offices from floor seven down to floor four.

In the basements has the National Crisis Management Center ( National Crisis Management Center ) is established, with a bunker and all necessary for a crisis facilities. Even the parliamentary Catering - Service is here.

history

In the 1960s, the New Zealand parliament asked the question of the earthquake security of parliament and government buildings, as well as the question of the lack of space for government and ministries. Three alternatives were discussed:

  1. - To expand and expand the Parliament House ,
  2. - demolish everything and rebuild or
  3. - To build a new building next to Parliament House .

In 1964, the Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence was commissioned to develop proposed solutions. Spence decided to keep Parliament House in its shape and propose to build a new circular building next door. His drafts were a shock to some parliamentarians at the time and were discussed controversially. Positions ranged from total rejection to idealization as the future "national pride of the country". But finally Spence's design draft got the support of the parliament and he was commissioned to design the building.

The beehive was built in several stages. 1970 began with the construction of the basement, in which, among other things, the crisis management center and a parking garage were housed. This was followed by the conical tower, of which the first three floors could be completed at the turn of the year 1975/76, early enough that Queen Elisabeth II was able to inaugurate a commemorative plaque in the entrance hall in February 1977. In May 1977, Prime Minister Robert Muldoon gave the clearance for further construction, so that in September 1979 the New Zealand government could finally use the upper floors. In 1981 there was an extension to Museum Street .

In 2000, extensive renovation work was carried out inside the building, floor by floor, which affected the interior design on the one hand and the safety equipment on the other.

See also

Web links

Commons : Beehive and Parliament House  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Parliament's buildings - The Beehive - Executive Wing . New Zealand Parliament , January 30, 2006, accessed October 16, 2014 .
  2. ^ A b John E. Martin : History of Parliament's buildings and grounds - The Beehive . New Zealand Parliament , March 28, 2012, accessed October 16, 2014 .
  3. ^ Basil Spence's first pencil impression of the Beehive . New Zealand History Online , accessed October 16, 2014 (in English, illustration of Basil Spence's first draft).
  4. ^ Wellington Region - Government - The Beehive . Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand , November 14, 2012, accessed on October 16, 2014 (English, image of Basil Spence, another draft).
  5. ^ Opening of the Beehive in Wellington, 1977 . New Zealand History Online , accessed October 16, 2014 (Photo of the opening ceremony with the Queen ).

Coordinates: 41 ° 16 ′ 42 ″  S , 174 ° 46 ′ 36 ″  E