Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is set to join the ranks of major art museums on the world stage with its plan for a multi-million dollar restoration and expansion. The preliminary design for the remodelled Gallery was unveiled in July 2005 at a function hosted at the gallery by His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard, where Gallery director Chris Saines and lead architect Richard Francis-Jones (Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, Sydney) presented the plans.

The much-anticipated plan for the $96.4 million development is set to secure Auckland’s place as home to New Zealand’s pre-eminent public art gallery.

The plan includes earthquake-proofing and heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main building combined with contemporary new additions that will see display space increased by at least fifty per cent.

The development will enable the gallery to better meet stringent international lending requirements, host bigger exhibitions of more varied kinds and display more of its 14,000 strong collection more often.

Fast facts

Included in the plan is:

• seismic strengthening and heritage restoration of the 1887 and 1916 components of the main building, carefully balanced with a contemporary new addition that will see display space increased by approximately fifty per cent
• a range of new room layouts and increased ceiling height elevations will allow the gallery to display more of the 14,000 items in its collection while also improving the gallery's ability to attract bigger and better exhibitions
• a bold new gallery main entrance fronting Kitchener Street to enhance access, while also creating an iconic new entry for the gallery
• glazed surfaces to introduce controlled natural light to the gallery when and where appropriate, along with view shafts through the building, connecting the interior art experience with the outside world
• restoring the 1916 East Gallery to its former state as the first day lit picture gallery in New Zealand,
• creating three distinct architectural interior characters - the late Victorian Wellesley and Kitchener wings, the neo-classical East Gallery and the 21st century new building additions
• creating special facilities for young people and families that will enable them to engage in both a structured (i.e. schools programmes) and unstructured range of experiences designed to grow their understanding and enjoyment of art
• dedicating more space specifically to learning programmes, including a new education classroom, an expanded auditorium, a much bigger research library and self-directed learning facilities
• development of the adjacent Albert Park landscape, including an informal amphitheatre on the north-eastern side that encourages public performance, gatherings and activity
• creating a landscaped pedestrian link between Kitchener Street and Albert Park, including water features and a new stair that steps park visitors up through a series of terraced levels parallel to those of the building
• inclusion of a ceremonial entrance to the building on the northern side, adjacent to the terraced area of Albert Park
• building of a covered and secure service entrance for the movement of works of art and behind-the-scenes deliveries
• inclusion of an expanded gallery shop and café and purpose-designed function facilities to enhance the gallery's public amenities and its after-hours events capacity

Click here for further information on public consultation and the consents process.