For art's sake - Authenticity and historical accuracy dominated the design and build of the new Auckland Art Gallery

The new Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Ta-maki was never intended to be simply a place to hang paintings. From the outset, it was clear Aucklanders and their council wanted a vibrant hub in which people could relax and appreciate the works on display. Early indications are that a wide cross-section of the community has found a new haven from the bustle of Queen Street, a few steps away.

The extension merges with the original gallery, and together the two structures frame the park in which they sit, giving the people of Auckland an inspiring new view of their heritage. However, aspects we might take for granted, such as the colours on the exterior, were extensively researched, says gallery director Chris Saines. A palette was specially created to match the original hues from the early 1900s. And much of the interior of the heritage galleries was painstakingly re-created and restored.

"Successfully blending the old and the new was a particular concern to city planners. It was important for the space to be modern, so that overseas galleries would be comfortable lending us irreplaceable artworks, but they didn't want to lose the splendour of the past," he says.

"The new structure had to be solid and enduring as ageless as the building it would be annexed to. The complex geometry of the design and some extraordinarily fine tolerances meant all contractors had to step up a gear in the construction."

Council planners advocated the use of classic materials, which add historical perspective to the gallery, and worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) to ensure that the chosen resources had minimal environmental impact.

Says Saines, "We all wanted a building which would stand the test of time, so that in 100 years it will be as relevant as the heritage building is today."

Auckland Art Gallery is located on the corner of Kitchener and Wellesley Sts, Auckland, infoline (09) 379 1349. Website: www.aucklandartgallery.com

Story by: Trendsideas