Art Deco Favourite

National Tobacco Company Ltd. Ahuriri, Napier. June 2008. Ajr

The National Tobacco Company building in Ahuriri, Napier is everybody’s favourite example of Art Deco. Designed by architect Louis Hay and built in 1933, it is one of Napier’s most elaborately-detailed post-1931-earthquake buildings. It is seen by many as Hay’s tour de force for the way it combines elements from Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the Chicago School. Decorations on either side of the front door feature raupo (native bulrush) and roses and its brass banisters, ornate lamps, marble foyer and spectacular stained glass inner dome (featured here a few days ago – you’ll find it if you scroll down), combine to make it one of the most photographed buildings in Hawke’s Bay. I’m not going to confess to how many photos I took of it but I revisited it several times. www.hawkesbaynz.com

Art Deco Shopping

The Art Deco Shop, Napier. June 2008. Ajr

It’s virtually impossible to visit Napier and not be drawn in to the whole Art Deco thing; and to get the best overview, you really need to start at The Art Deco Shop – which fittingly reflects its Art Deco neighbours in its front window. It’s from here that a whole set of terrific Art Deco Walking Tours set off – bus or vintage car if you’d rather, guided or self-guided if you’d prefer. Over 23,000 people do the guided Art Deco walk each year, learning everything there is to know about the massive earthquake that shook the Hawke’s Bay in 1931, destroying the heart of Napier, damaging over 200 buildings in Hastings and killing 256 people. Within two years of that disaster, Napier and Hastings had been rebuilt in the distinctive Art Deco, Spanish Mission, Stripped Classical and Prairie style architecture that it is now so famous for. The Art Deco here is unique for its inclusion of Maori motifs and the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Chicago School in the work of local architect, Louis Hay. www.artdeconapier.com