Why is this place significant?

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: The A. & G. Price Foundry site at Thames comprises a large number of buildings of various ages and architecture on the one site. Only three of these buildings are proposed for classification: (1) The present pattern shop (2) The present office and stores building (3) The former boiler fabricating building (1) The present pattern shop (former iron foundry building): The section of the present building fronting Beach Road, is all that remains of the original 1871 iron foundry building, forming the northern wing of the present building which has been substantially modified and added to over the years. In this process Abraham Street has been incorporated into the foundry complex and built over. The former iron foundry building section is a wooden hipped roof building clad with rusticated weather boarding, with corrugated galvanised iron roofing. A rectangular ventilator with slatted sides and peaked roof of corrugated iron is located on the ridge. The Beach Road facade has a large machine shop or vehicle sliding door on the line of the later Abraham Street addition. The Beach Road facade also has eight fixed nine-pane windows with inwardly opening three-pane fanlights, hinged at the bottom. These windows are segmental headed, with elegant window frames giving an architectural sophistication to an otherwise plain weatherboard surface. A further similar window is located on the end facade facing the gate, next to a six-panelled door. Six of the windows and the Beach Road facade have curved corrugated iron shades. The style of the Beach Road facade of the former iron foundry has been continued around on to the former Abraham Street wing which also has an identical ridge ventilator. The style is also maintained on the adjoining former pattern and machine shop on Beach Road. (2) The present office and store (formerly pattern and machine shop): This is a two-storeyed building with rusticated weatherboard cladding. It originally housed the machine shop in the lower floor with the original pattern shop above. The lower floor has nine evenly spaced windows, of the same design as those in the present pattern shop building. On the top floor these windows are echoed by nine smaller two light windows. Seven other windows, generally matching the original ones have been added later on this floor. As with the previous building, the windows on both floors are segmental headed and their simple decoration contributes an architectural elegance to the weatherboard facade. There is a doorway with a suspended canopy of a plain functional design over a doorway at the end of the Beach Road frontage, farthest from the present pattern shop. Two ventilators are placed on the ridge of the building. Internally the Beach Road wall is lined with rebated timber. Elsewhere exposed framing and substantial timber posts with chamfered corners highlight the open plan of the building. Early office space still survives in the end bay of this floor of the building. Originally serving as a drawing office this area has a stair balustrade with simplified trefoil motifs, timber flooring and rebated timber panelled walls. (3) The former boiler fabricating shop: This is a hipped roof building of barn-like proportions, with a large centrally-placed rectangular tower surmounted by substantial ventilator which echoes the general architectural style of the building. The building is of simple truss beam construction of heavy kauri timbers. Cross bracing timber in the tower also supported the winding mechanism, the steel wheels of which are still in place. A lean-to building has been added to one side. The building, roof, tower and ventilator are clad in corrugated galvanised iron. The street front fenestration consists of a central bank of eight nine-pane windows, with a separate cluster of three similar windows in one side of it and a single window on the other. A row of five smaller windows are evenly spaced high up above the main windows. The open end of the building has a very large sliding shop door. MODIFICATIONS: Over the years from the establishment of the foundry the functions of the buildings have been changed, with consequent modification to the buildings. These include: 1924: Original iron foundry building converted to carpenters shop; and north end of building converted to offices; lean-to added to south side. 1926: Part of original pattern-shop and store converted to tool room; office extension becomes drawing offices; extension to verandah on east side. 1960s: Hydraulic riveter and steam winch removed from boiler shop.

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This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.