DESIGN RESPONSE:

Dunedin's established culture of tower-making provides the conceptual foundation for this proposal. A new 28m public lookout and I-Site is introduced within the Octagon, framing views toward the city's two cathedrals and reinforcing the civic significance of the site. Positioned as both landmark and orientation device, the tower offers a contemporary counterpoint to Dunedin's historic skyline while encouraging renewed appreciation of its heritage fabric.
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The Athenaeum is adaptively reused to accommodate an interactive I-Site and cinema, an updated library, and a bike hire and maintenance hub within the renovated basement. These complementary programmes are carefully integrated to respect the integrity of the existing building, ensuring the heritage structure is retained and celebrated while accommodating new public functions.
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Together, the observation tower and revitalised Athenaeum establish a unified cultural and tourism destination. The proposal strengthens the Octagon's civic role, introduces sustainable visitor initiatives, and delivers a distinctive heritage experience for both locals and visitors to Dunedin's central city. By concentrating cultural, informational, and recreational programmes within one cohesive intervention, the project reinforces the Octagon as a true urban anchor. It positions the Athenaeum not as a relic of the past, but as an active participant in Dunedin's evolving civic life.