When I first moved to the capital of New Zealand Wellington 2 years ago, a weird building got my attention. It is called the Beehive but somehow I don't feel it is the right name. Until recently @frittro told me that it is also known as A slide projector that fell on a wedding cake that fell on a waterwheel . I know that must be it, the name that I've been thinking about.
The Beehive is one of the four buildings in Wellington that house NZ's Parliament so it would be great for migrants like us to visit and learn more about the country. As we live in Wellington, I think there is no rush, we can wait until a perfect time to pay a visit.
Wellington is an interesting place, there are so many things to do and see, I had slowly forgotten about the parliament building I wanted to see. Until I learned that there was a free tour of this building, I knew it was the time to go.
I arranged time during the Christmas and New Year break to do this tour. Since this is the best time of year in Wellington, the summer weather won't be too cold and the pohutukawa flowers are in full bloom.
It was the holidays after Christmas, and my partner and I decided to walk from our house to the parliament building and book a tour. Unfortunately, they were closed during the holiday season. I took my time walking around the garden in front of the parliament house and taking pictures of the pohutukawa flowers.
Entrance to the parliament houses
It used to be the world's third ugliest building. But when I saw it with the pohutukawa flowers, it looks pretty alright
I fell into with these Christmas flowers. Never get enough of it
We had to wait until the new year to book a visit. At exactly 3 pm, we were in the lobby of the building to register. After waiting for the security check and declaration, we met our tour guide Rob, he has been here for many years and is very happy to be able to share with us what he knows. about this building.
The tour begins with a short 6-minute video summary of the places we will be allowed to visit and a greeting from Mr Speaker of the house. Right after that, Rob led us to the first place of the tour. It is the big hall of the National Assembly building – the Banquet Hall, on the first floor of the Beehive, also known as the Executive Wing, where events and parties such as charities, fundraising events take place. This is where he introduces the building's architecture, areas, departments and history.
I didn't hear very well why they built this building like this so I went online to find out when I got home. I then learn that Sir Basil Spence - a British architect - chose the design concept for this building. In his concept, rooms and offices radiated from a central core (source: NZ Parliament)
We are not allowed to take photos or videos of the visiting areas. That's why I cited the photo source from the official NZ Parliament website.
A large three-dimensional mural by John Boys Drawbridge (1930–2005). The mural portrays the atmosphere and sky of New Zealand using enamel gloss paint on aluminium angles
We then moved on to the Parliamentary House, which, according to Rob, is where the queen entered on her inauguration day. Currently, this great hall is also the place where the media sets up cameras to interview politicians.
The Parliamentary House, right next to the Beehive
The next location is the Debating Chamber, located at the heart of Parliament House. This is the place where the House of Representatives meets. Rob carefully told us not to touch anything in that room and only stay within the circle. It is a great thing for me as I haven't had a chance to enter a place where politicians sit to debate bills and discuss negotiating business.
NZ Parliament website
And the last one is the one that everyone is so familiar with, a place where the Prime Minister provide COVID’s updates. Rob is a brilliant tour guide as he arranged for some of us to play roles as the Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health.
I have to be honest, I don't know much about the NZ parliament houses, even though with the tour, I am still not able to remember it. That's why I decided to write this post to share with you and also made some researches by myself. This way, I can learn more about the places that I visited and help me to remember them better.
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Hey there Dora @dora381, what a pleasant surprise! I was jumping for joy the moment I saw your first post in the Architecture+Design Community. I believe it's high time for you to share your personal experiences about the fabulous architecture and built environments that you've encountered in your various travels.
This is probably one of the funniest metaphorical descriptions I've read about buildings, lol 🤣 With all due respect to the Architect who designed the Beehive's exterior facade, there must have been some pragmatic, structural, functional, or aesthetic reason why it was conceptualized that way. You see, architecture is an extremely subjective industry. What one finds beautiful might be ugly to others. Nevertheless, that important landmark houses the seat of New Zealand's Parliament so it deserves our admiration and appreciation.
A warm welcome to the Architecture+Design Community. Have fun! 😊
Thank you so much for your warm welcome @storiesoferne. I've been considering many times about posting on this community but I concern it is not the right place to post for my museum visits. Until I saw this building, I know it must be an interesting one to share with members of Architecture+Design community.
For me, the building is really interesting, it is not ugly at all. I don't know why it used to be the world's third ugliest building but the way the explain it, so hilarious. The more I look at it, the funnier it gets
With utmost pleasure Dora @dora381. Your museum visits are pretty much related to architecture and are well suited for the Architecture+Design Community. If you're confused about what other types of content you can publish here, the Community Content Criteria can guide you.
Indeed, the exterior facades of our buildings evoke a lot of criticisms from the public, but that's just part of the game of the profession. We look forward to seeing you again here. Have an enjoyable one. 😊
Awesome, I'll check out the community content criteria. Have a lovely weekend :)
I didn't know it's the world's top three ugliest building! HAHAHAHA I am not surprised 🤣 I went to the tour before and similar to you I struggled to remember what they say haha. Love the post btw!
Hahaha I didnt hear why they built the building like this so I had to do some researches. I actually forgot most of the places' names so when I wrote this post, I had to go to the website and read again.
Ah, you're learning more because of HIVE! That's great hehe
Thats one of the reason I love Hive. I am really bad with remembering names, especially with Maori names. By writing a post, it helps me to remember. !LUV
@dora381(1/1) gave you LUV.
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I've lived here in New Zealand for most of my life, but one place that I haven't ever spent a lot of time in, is Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington. Sure, I have passed through it, as a waypoint to the ferry terminal across Te Moana-o-Raukawa, Cook Strait to Te Waipounamu, the South Island. But I have never really visited Wellington itself as a destination. When they opened Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum (commonly known as just "Te Papa"), I was tempted to make a special trip down from Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland to see it. However, it has been almost 25 years since it opened, and in all that time I still haven't made it down that far again. One day, I'll get down there and do the whole tourist thing, visiting Parliament Buildings, Te Papa, Cuba Street, and all the other famous attractions there.
Te Papa is my favorite place to visit. We are very close to the museum so whenever we wanted to go out but had bad weather, we would consider Te Papa as an option. I think my partner and I have been there almost 10 times already and will keep going as there are new exhibitions every year.
Hiya, @LivingUKTaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #1464.
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Love this interior, it looks like the courtroom of old.
Yes, It is designed for politicians to debate to pass bills as laws and also keep government accountable for the action
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A very attractive place. Very interesting series of views. Really beautiful.
Thank you. It is pretty with all the flowers in season :)
I don't know why it is called an ugly building, but it isn't that bad. !discovery 20
Agree with you, I just feel it is quite funny the way they describe the building - A slide projector that fell on a wedding cake that fell on a waterwheel - the more I look at it, the funnier it gets.
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Thank you for your great support. I just check out the community and will delegate some
That's really appreciated!! Have a good day! :)
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Thank you for your support. Cheers, Dora
It's good when urban planning regulations are respected, the green spaces comprise the acquisition and makes it much more pleasant.
Oh yes, I am so glad in this capital city, there are a lot of green areas in just walking distances. We are surrounded by hills and mountains so it doesn't take a long time for me to go find nature.
Beautiful building @dora381 nice photos ☺️
Thank you. I am so glad you like it
Definitely a great post of interest @dora381 😊
Congratulations @dora381! We're delighted to specially curate your awesome publication and award it BRONZE MARK in Architecture Brew #53. More power!
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