Flaxbourne Heritage Centre

Lawson Homes & Construction played a pivotal role in bringing the Flaxbourne Heritage Centre to life in Ward, South Marlborough. This major community project emerged after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake destroyed the region’s previous museum and archive. The Flaxbourne Heritage Trust launched the project in 2021, and Lawson Homes was selected for construction thanks to years of trusted experience building in rural Marlborough locations and a strong commitment to regional communities.

The building was architecturally designed to echo the look and feel of a traditional rural red barn, with subtle detailing reminiscent of the classic shearing sheds that have long been part of the Flaxbourne farming landscape. Its simple gable roof, corrugated cladding, and bold red exterior create an immediate sense of familiarity and connection to place.

Inside, Lawson Homes executed a clean, functional build featuring high open ceilings with durable and low-maintenance materials suited to a high-traffic public space. The structure includes a flexible exhibition area, media room and archive spaces. Large-scale commercial joinery was carefully integrated into the façade to ensure natural light while retaining the traditional barn silhouette.

The building was constructed using a steel portal frame system, ensuring long-term durability and seismic resilience, while allowing for large clear-span interior spaces. Lawson Homes coordinated all subcontractors and site logistics in a rural location, delivering the project to a high standard while working alongside community groups and volunteers.