Auckland Art Gallery
Project snapshot
Auckland Art
Gallery Toi o Tamaki is undergoing major restoration and expansion work, which
will transform the building into a world class cultural facility for Aucklanders
and visitors alike.
In a major
milestone for the gallery development, Auckland City Council received approval
from the Environment Court in August 2008 confirming resource consent for one of
the country’s largest heritage restoration projects.
The
Auckland Art Gallery development involves mandatory seismic strengthening and
restoration, as well as the expansion and modernisation of the building.
After the
project is completed early in 2011, Auckland City Council's signature gallery
will be bigger - half as big again - with much more area for showcasing
world-class exhibitions. It will have improved lighting and sound, a more
environmentally-friendly design, and become a showpiece for more local and
international collections.
Other new features include:
- glazed surfaces for controlled natural light
- an inviting new Kitchener Street main entrance
- earthquake-proofing
- dedicated education, children and family spaces
- better links with Albert Park and Khartoum Place.
The
construction programme is underway in earnest, including demolishing the
existing outdoor paving and fountain, stripping the interior of the 1970’s
addition (Edmiston Wing) as well as earthworks and piling work.
In
preparation for construction, work involved removing three art works from the
main gallery forecourt to secure storage facilities off-site. These art works
are: Opened Stone by Hiroaki Ueda, Sappho by Aleko Kyriakos and Double L
Excentric Gyratory by George Rickey.
Eleven
trees were removed from Albert Park as part of the development project’s
resource consent, with nine well-established trees being planted to replace
those that have been removed.
How this will affect you
The
council’s contractor Hawkins Construction Ltd is working hard to minimise
disruption as much as possible during the work. The site is contained by
hoardings, with clear signage for pedestrians making their way around the area.
Kitchener
Street has been changed to one lane of traffic directly outside the gallery
building to allow a loading zone for construction vehicles.
While
improvements are made in the Main Gallery, exhibitions, education and public
programmes continue as usual at the New Gallery, on the corner of Lorne Street
and Wellesley Street, just across the road.
There are
also a number of privately owned galleries in the area, particularly along
Kitchener and Lorne Streets, which offer people the opportunity to view and
experience art.
For more information about the
project, visit
www.aucklandartgallery.govt.nz, or phone (64 9) 3077700.
Cost
The cost
of the upgrade is $113 million, which is being funded by three key parties.
Central government is contributing $30 million over four years, Auckland City
Council is contributing $48.1 million and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation
has committed to raising $33.4 million, of which $15.5 million has already been
pledged.
Why the changes
The cost
of the upgrade is $113 million, which is being funded by three key parties.
Central government is contributing $30 million over four years, Auckland City
Council is contributing $48.1 million and the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation
has committed to raising $33.4 million, of which $15.5 million has already been
pledged.
Other benefits include:
- a ceremonial entrance on the northern side
- a bigger gallery shop and café
- a landscaped pedestrian link between Kitchener St and
Albert Park
- more purpose-built function facilities for after-hours
events.
Background
The
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki's restoration and expansion has involved
considerable planning and preparation.
A
feasibility study was completed in 2003 and architects appointed in 2004. In
July 2005, the initial design concepts were launched, and, in early 2006,
resource consents were lodged as required under the Resource Management Act.
Independent commissioners approved the resource consent application, which was
subsequently appealed to the Environment Court. The court did not uphold any of
the issues raised by the appellants and praised the integration of the gallery
extension with Albert Park. However, in its interim decision, the court said
that the council needed to re-examine a component of the roof design.
In December 2007, the
Environment Court made a further interim decision, approving the altered roof
design. The court’s decision retained its interim status because design details
of the masterplan area around the gallery needed to be further refined to the
satisfaction of the court.
In August 2008, the
Environment Court approved the conditions of resource consent allowing
construction to start in earnest. It also advised that it was taking expert
advice before confirming a condition relating to the glazing on the new northern
atrium.
Who's behind the improvements
Auckland
based architects Archimedia and Sydney's Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) have
joined forces with Auckland City Council to design one of the largest projects
of its kind in New Zealand. Archimedia and FJMT have already partnered on The
University of Auckland's landmark new business school and they also have an
enviable track record of sprucing up heritage sensitive buildings.
More information about the architects:
Have your say
If we haven't answered your query in this project snapshot, or maybe you'd
just like to give us feedback on the changes, simply drop us a note at
gallery@aucklandcity.govt.nz
