Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value The Jubilee Institute for the Blind has been associated with this site for nearly 100 years and in 1896 a fund was begun to enable a larger more permanent brick residential school to be constructed. The Institute was founded in 1890 and by 1892 had acquired a two storey wooden house in Parnell. This became the first school for the care, education and training of blind children and adults. The plans for the new building were drawn up in 1904 after the Institute had received a munificent gift from the estate of William Mason. This money which was received in several large sums, amounted to £14,650 by 1911. The whole of this sum was devoted to the building fund, making erection a reality far sooner than mould have been possible by ordinary fundraising. The government added £2500 subsidy and the design was subject to the approval of the education board. Prominent citizens associated with the Blind Institute included John Logan Campbell who was one of the original trustees and Alfred Nathan who was the chairman. Lord Plunkett the Governor and President of the Institute opened the new building in May 1909 while the main building was under construction. The pupils were taught Braille, Shorthand and typing as well as several handcrafts, music, gymnastics and drill. Some students went on to attain university degrees. As well as the residential school there were workshops where technical and trades training was available. The Institute gradually acquired the remainder of the Parnell block. Additional buildings constructed include Pearson House designed by Gummer and Ford to house those blinded during World War I. In 1965 a college was completed at Manurewa and the main block was converted to offices. The institute became the New Zealand Institute for the Blind in 1926 in recognition of its assumed nationwide responsibility. The title was amended in 1955 to the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind under the Act of Parliament. The Foundation is now under Royal Patronage. In the 1970s a change in the philosophy of the foundation meant that the blind were to remain in the community rather than be cared for in an institutional setting. The foundation has, for nearly one hundred years, provided excellent care for the blind in New Zealand.

Physical Significance

Architectural Significance: This is an important example of the red brick Gothic Revival style of architecture which has become associated with educational buildings. The design of the Blind Institute was influenced by those of the English schools of the 1890s, some of which were published in the Builder. In contrast with the 'Collegiate' Gothic Revival Style the school buildings were designed without decorative crockets, finials or the lancet windows commonly associated with the style. These decorative elements carried ecclesiastical connotations and the school boards were determined to express the secular nature of education. Hygiene was an important design consideration and much of the Gothic detailing commonly used in designing schools was omitted from modern schools designs because medieval interiors were considered dark, poorly lit and consequently unsuitable for studying. This was the first permanent building constructed for the Blind and the Institute hoped the design would reflect the high standard of care and education of the blind in New Zealand. The age was one in which numerous institutional buildings were constructed and they stand as a reminder of the Edwardian concern with education. School buildings stood in prominent locations and the school environment was to set an important example to pupils. The Blind Institute is not planned according to British examples which include a school hall around which the classrooms were grouped. This plan would have been inappropriate for blind students and the Institute has a central corridor which enables pupils to navigate themselves around the building. Edward Bartley was a truly Victorian architect who would design in whichever style was appropriate for the building type. His Auckland Savings Bank building is Italianate, a suitable style for commercial buildings, his Synagogue has Eastern decoration evoking associations with Judaism and the Gothic revival style of the Blind Institute was considered to be appropriate for education. The façade detail with the banded gables bear similarity to English schools in particular Roedean in Brighton. It also shows some influence of Pugin and Pugin's design for the Gothic Revival Bishops Palace in Ponsonby. Townscape/Landmark Significance: The administration building for the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind is situated on the rise at the top of Parnell Road and is an important landmark in this part of Auckland. It is in the centre of an historically important area, with the Domain and Auckland Museum on one side and St Mary's cathedral, Selwyn Court, Kinder House and Ewelme Cottage on the other. It is one of a number of buildings owned by the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind on the block bounded by Parnell Road, George Street, Titoki Street and Maunsell Road which form a unique city block enclosing an open space.