A+W NZ Wikiproject Walking Tour Parnell Baths

The Parnell Baths were first built in 1914, as part of a three baths commissioned by Auckland City Council to accommodate public swimming demands. Compared to international precedent (e.g.Sutro Baths in San Francisco, Sydney, Brighton), Auckland was late to adopting outdoor public pools. In 1911, the Council conceded that there had been a loss in public amenities due to the amounts of reclamation of the shoreline. They announced that three new saltwater baths would be constructed on the southern shore to serve western, central, and eastern swimmers - these would be Shelly Beach Baths, the Tepid Baths, and the Parnell Baths. Shelly Beach and Parnell would be outdoor baths, but Tepid was indoors and used the power station to heat the pools. These were built in quick succession over 2-3 years.

Above: Opening ceremony for the Parnell Baths 1914 (Auckland Weekly News, from the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections)

The Parnell Baths were opened on 7th March 1914 and it coincided with a period of significant social change. In the early 1900s gender segregated bathing was the norm and public baths were a safe option due to the management and supervision that came with being a semi-public space. Women were allocated certain bathing times, however they were given fewer hours and at inconvenient times. By the time the Parnell baths had opened, the social tide was turning. Shelly Beach Baths, which had opened two years before, was beginning to experiment with mixed bathing due to the high demand from female swimmers.

While “mixed bathing, under strict rules” was permitted after the opening ceremony, swimming remained otherwise segregated during the first month of operation. Shortly after the opening, the council received multiple complaints and correspondents about the restrictive hours for women. One woman wrote to Council that the Wednesday afternoons were “no good for us girls engaged in business in the city…it seems a most scandalous thing that women can be ousted from their just rights in matters of this kind and have no remedy”.  

Within a month of opening, the Parnell Baths changed their rules to allow women to bathe during all opening hours.

Above: Swimmers at Parnell Baths, Judges Bay 1950-52 (Auckland City Council, from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections)

The Parnell Baths have evolved and changed through its years. While there were minor upgrades since its opening, the most significant came in the 1950s. The redevelopment of the Baths was designed by the Architects' Department of the Council. Tibor K. Donner and Ewen M. Wainscott are credited as the main designers of the building as chief architect and project architect respectively.

By this time the Baths were beginning to look run down and dated. Donner envisioned a new modern fashionable seaside resort fitting for the new cosmopolitan Auckland. The design we still see today is in the “Lido” style - glamorous, resort style pools that were popular in the UK. These were themselves inspired by the beaches in Italy (“Lido” translating to beach in Italian), where the upper class luxuriated. The popularity of Lidos coincided with the Art Deco boom, and similar sleek geometric lines can be seen across both architectural styles. It also often plays with nautical references from cruise ships or resorts.

Sunbathing is a signature part of the Lido style. The timber sundeck is still occupied by loungers today, and further cements the changing views of the time. Tanned skin, which used to be a signifier of the lower class, was becoming more fashionable and a sign of luxury. Society began associating the sun with health and wellbeing, all connected with the recreation and leisure boom.

The main building is a long rectangular white building, raised on columns (piloti), giving a lighter floating effect. The main reception and stairwell are in the middle, flanked on either side by the gendered changing rooms, denoted by the mural. The shaded walkway on the first floor is often enhanced by playful shadows from the brise soleil (timber screens) and the overhead timber slats. A lot of these elements, in particular the screens and piloti, are reminiscent of Le Corbusier.

The investment in the redevelopment of the Baths in the 1950s showed Auckland Council’s confidence and ambition at the time. It is a real landmark and icon for Auckland, but was also part of a long string of significant public buildings designed by Donner.

The building was awarded the NZIA Gold Medal in 1958, and an NZIA Enduring Architecture award in 2006 - a plaque can be found on the reception desk and on the side of the entrance.

James Turkington was commissioned to design a mural along the upper storey of the building. The mural captures the movement and flow of abstract male and female swimmers.
It is thought that the mural is inspired by Matisse’s The Swimming Pool. Donner himself sketched the basis of the design of the mural.

Above: Segment of The Swimming Pool, Henri Matisse (1952)

Donner and Turkington developed an innovative construction technique for the glass mosaic mural. The mural was constructed on asbestos backing sheets, with a layer of soft white cement paste on top. Metal strips were formed to transfer the design in 1:1 scale on the sheets. Crushed vitrolite chips in various colours were then pressed into the plaster within the metal defined sections, before the strips were removed.

The incorporation of the mural in the building design is likely inspired by Donner’s visits to Mexico City as well as the Modernist design approach where insitu art works were incorporated in the building design. The mural was an integral part of the design of the building. The Parnell Baths are a rare surviving example of true collaboration between architects and artists.

The mural was unfortunately vandalised with graffiti in 2023 and has been removed for restoration works. It has been temporarily replaced with a print with additional information on New Zealand arts history.

Parnell Baths is the largest saltwater bath in New Zealand. The water in the pools are still filled from sea water. The water reservoirs are housed under the deck boards - you can see the maintenance hatches along the entire length. Previously the pools were filled and drained with the tide once a week, however due to the chlorination a full change of the water only happens around twice a season.

The reservoir water gets pumped up to the plant room to be treated and gets transferred back and they are very diligent with checking the chlorination of the water - every 2 hours. The depth of the main pool is actually a challenge for the chlorination and treatment as it is hard to get an even distribution and mix of the treated water given the massive volume of water.

The pools as we see it now are divided into two sections - a heated kids area and unheated regular pool with a promenade path in between and the spa. The pools were physically divided with a wall, where they previously used short railings to demarcate separation. This allowed the kids pools to be heated.

The lane pool is almost 60m long - an awkward length which in itself indicates this is not really a training/sport pool. Instead this is a place for leisure, recreation, and play.

Throughout the years there have been variances of entertainment within the pools. There were pontoons, floaties, and multiple diving boards. There was a large slide to the side, and for a few years a very tall slide was where the grassy bank and picnic tables are now situated. (You can see the photo in your map pamphlet)

These days the entertainment is condensed to one springboard and various water play areas in the kids section. However the silver fountain is original to the 1950s. 

Above: Parnell Baths in 1983 (Eric William Young, from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections)

The pool rework was a major part of the restoration in 2003, as was the cafe that’s been added to the plant room building. This redevelopment was done by Matthews & Matthews Architects, of which Jane Matthews, co-founder, played a significant part.

Jane Matthews is a registered architect specialising in architectural conservation and heritage work. She co-founded Matthews & Matthews Architects Ltd with her husband Antony in 2000, where they carry out research-based conservation projects as well as adaptations of historic buildings and general architectural services.

The practice was formed not long after their second daughter was born, when Jane was requiring flexibility in her work. That flexibility has remained important to her since they formed the practice, as her responsibilities have also adapted to include caring for her father.

Jane studied at the University of Auckland, graduating in 1987, and it was in the final years of her bachelor degree that her interest in heritage conservation was sparked. Sarah Treadwell and Di Stewart helped shape her interest - Treadwell ran an elective involving cataloguing historical architectural drawings and Stewart led a course in architectural conservation.

After graduation, Jane worked at the New Zealand Historic Places Trust with Di Stewart as a research assistant. She spent a year there researching historic buildings, during a period of intense redevelopment in Auckland where many heritage buildings were unfortunately lost.

In 1994, Jane and Antony travelled to Rome to do the ICCROM course on architectural conservation - considered to be the world-leading educator on conservation research, training, and advocacy. Jane cites this experience as significantly shaping their shared working life and interest since then.

Heritage work can be varied and interesting, each project having its own unique challenges. The research and investigation into the original building remains one of Jane’s favourite parts of the work. Conservation work also allows her to work with a wide range of specialised and passionate craftspeople and consultants.
 

Jane first became involved with the Parnell Baths by conducting a heritage report for Auckland Council. This then led to writing the conservation plan and bidding for the full architectural services.

The brief for the 2003 works was to restore the pools and improve the facilities to appeal more to families. Part of this was the pool separation as previously mentioned, but also an addition of a cafe to the plant building. The cafe is wrapped with new glazing that fits in seamlessly with the existing buildings.

Another significant aspect of the 2003 works was the reinstatement of the original colour palette of the Donner building. The building had been repainted to be white and pale blue when Jane wrote her heritage report in the early 2000s.

Historic colours are a passion of Jane’s, and a highlight of her heritage work. For the Parnell Baths, she utilised scrape backs to discover the original colours of the building. As the name implies, this literally means scraping back the layers of paint to find the original and then matching the colour by eye with sample cards. Matthews & Matthews were awarded two Resene colour awards for their work on the Parnell Baths.

Jane credits the conservation approach as a reason the 2003 restoration was so successful. There was a concentrated effort to reinstate the original detailing, materials, and colour scheme which restored the buildings’ key heritage values.

Matthews & Matthews did two additional restorations for the Baths in 2005 and 2010.

As we wrap up, I just want to reiterate the importance of a building like the Parnell Baths in the culture of our city. At this point, the Baths are a fixture and icon of Auckland and should be treated as a public amenity. It is our city beach, and while it is natural for its popularity to rise and fall, it’s important to remember what this place means to many people.

When I was here a few weeks ago I talked to Sue Monk, the historian who wrote the Parnell Baths book, and a lifeguard who both were able to describe their joyful childhood experiences here - trying to flip the pontoon with all the other kids, or queueing up again and again for the big slide. But they also talked about bringing their own children here and the experience as an adult.

There are always times when a facility like this wanes in popularity but it remains a fantastic and accessible place for people of all ages to enjoy some sun and water.

Thank you to Jane Matthews and Sue Monk for taking time for interviews. Part of the text contains quotes, writing, or other information provided by them in these interviews, as well as the sources below.

Written by Wing Chan