History

The idea of founding an arts facility on Wellingtons south coast had been discussed at length between Andre Lamb and Aaron Maffey. Reliable sources tell that it was in that first month of 2006, while on a short car ride up to the wellington windmill, when the coastal motors building was first spotted. It was actually a visiting family member that saw the hand painted sign on the big front doors that read “For Lease”. Curious eyes peeked through a small hole in the massive doors into what was to become the shell of Nautilus.

It was perfect! Infact it was even better than we thought. From the hole in the door we had no idea that there was a mezzanine! In the following week calls were made, a viewing time was arranged and on the 15th of January 2006 a lease was signed between two young guys without enough money to pay the rent and a very openminded landlord.

However a group came together quickly. A city based playground of potential has a huge amount of pulling power over creative types. The once open plan mezzanine was turned into four fairly large studios. Downstairs on the west side of the space 6 studios were built. On the north/west side of the building at the back of the studio we designated an area for a recording studio. The large area in front of the main doors was left as a communal area. In the first year building and battling leaks were at the top of the list. There was no money or support from the outside world so all the materials were recycled from skip bins, the dump or demolition sites. Luckily one of the founding members (Aaron) was a builder.

Slowly Nautilus changed from a construction site to a studio and the sound of hammers and saws became less common. Although Nautilus is now an up and running facility, improvements and alterations are constant. We have a policy of ‘no attachment’ so as a creative space it will always be changing.

It became apparent that in order for Nautilus to continue to grow, evolve and to administer the needs of such a diverse and eclectic group of people that a Trust would need to be established. So in July 2009, over 3 years after the building was taken on, the Nautilus Creative Trust was registered with the Charities Commission.