The purpose of the Auckland Art Gallery development, as put forward in the project brief, is to create a vibrant new focal point within the cultural precinct of the city that integrates the gallery, park and street and effortlessly connects art with people, offering a diversity of visual art, leisure and learning experiences.
The objectives for the success of the project were:
- to create a significant new exhibition area to complement the character and function of the existing heritage galleries and increase existing exhibition space
- to create display spaces of international standard including quality of lighting, acoustics and environmental standards
- to establish a cultural presence and an opportunity for public ceremony and welcome to the building, encompassing the Taonga and collections within
- to provide a landmark building that clearly states its function
- to provide a social venue not only to experience and share the viewing of art, but also as a meeting place
- to meet the long-term operational needs of the gallery
- to provide conditions that satisfy the requirements of agreed international standards for exhibition and storage, and facilities that enable the safe and efficient movement of works of art
- to provide a design that balances the need for controlled capital costs and cost-efficient operating costs
- to provide for and stimulate quality revenue generating facilities without compromise to the primary gallery function
- to ensure that the design finds a cohesive balance between art and architecture.
During the design phases of the project, the benefit of addressing the immediately adjacent Albert Park landscape spaces was identified. A separate masterplanning project was established to analyse the scope for the adjoining landscape design and develop proposals for these spaces.
Design philosophy
Restoring and expanding Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki created a unique set of challenges for the architectural team. The fundamental challenge has been to restore the wonderful heritage building while developing a complementary, flexible and contemporary design.
The brief required that the team:
Relate new built elements with the landscape of Albert Park
The team looked at the existing character of the park and utilised this to create effective linkages with the building, the park and the surrounding streets. To this end, new landscaped terraces and paved platforms have been included to form a smooth pedestrian connection between Kitchener Street and Albert Park.
One of the most distinctive features of the new building is the roof design melded into a series of fine "tree-like" canopies that define and cover the entry forecourt, atrium and gallery areas.
Between the terraces and the roof canopy are large windows allowing a view from the entry forecourt through the gallery to the park and beyond - inviting discovery and opening the gallery to Albert Park and public spaces.
Enhance the number of opportunities for activity
The overall gallery experience will be enhanced by a new forecourt fronting Kitchener Street, a café on the northern side, development of an informal external amphitheatre in the adjacent park for public use, and sculpture terraces on the northern and eastern edge of the building. The northern terrace upgrade also incorporates a ceremonial entry to the gallery.
Give each heritage gallery a distinctive character
The culturally significant 1887 building will be restored and seamlessly integrated into the new gallery complex. The fine cornices, ceiling profiles and architectural detailing will be revealed and displayed. Modern lighting, display and air-conditioning systems will be carefully integrated to create appropriate display and conservation conditions.
The historic 1916 East Gallery, currently used for workshops and art storage, will be recreated as a major new gallery space, complete with a natural daylight clerestory. It will be accessed directly from the north atrium through a new floor that will appear to be suspended.
The north atrium, located in the heart of the new building, is a grand vertical space, filled with natural light and views into the park and surrounds. From the outside, major contemporary art installations and the vibrant activity of the gallery will be clearly visible.
A second atrium will be created at the south end of the complex to complement the northern atrium and to open up the original north-east face of the Wellesley Gallery. It will be filled with natural light from the east over the greenery of the park. The roof profile of the original building will remain.
New exhibition spaces will be created to expand the existing display area by at least fifty per cent
The new gallery areas include the Park Gallery, a linear exhibition space that runs along the eastern side of the complex, and many large and flexible exhibition galleries between Kitchener Street and the East Gallery. These contemporary display spaces offer flexible display environments for works of art. At the top level of the complex, a new exhibition space will be created.
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