: : Frankton Bus Shelter, Info Site and Public Toilets

The local council client, QLDC, identified the Frankton location as an important hub for travellers arriving to Queenstown from the north and south, by road and from the airport. The existing bus shelter and toilet facilities were seen as highly inadequate and the potential recognised to provide a strong, positive introduction to the public facilities in the area.

Mary Jowett Architects Response

Mary Jowett Architect worked with the clients and consultants investigating the site and providing information on the size and quality suitable for the new facility. The resulting design is a muscular response to the transient nature of the site. The honed block is a modern display of local aggregate while the core-ten steel work harks back to the gold mining days. Work with other consultants ensured successful integration of parking, vehicle movement, sign recognition and integration with existing landscaping. The all- gender arrangement is seen as preferable for the safety of users with good visibility to the road as the toilets are expected to be open 24 hours a day. Low maintenance materials and ongoing energy usage is seen as important in a building that will be intensely used with the utilisation of natural light and ventilation tempered with privacy and safety. Night lighting will be focused to minimise spilled light and wasted energy while also providing dramatic effect.