In 1936 the first Labour government's state housing programme adopted the English cottage style for the design of single-unit state houses, but architects within the Department of Housing and Construction successfully argued its flat-building programme should use the modernist style. This is a model of the Centennial Flats, in the Wellington suburb of Berhampore, which opened in 1940. The U-shaped complex was built around a common garden and included a community centre (the round building) at the centre.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand Free Lance Collection (PAColl-0785)
Reference: PAColl-6203-60
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.