Aigantighe Art Gallery

Timaru

Public Art Gallery
Timaru, Aotearoa New Zealand
Status ︎ Shortlisted Competition Entry (Under Jury Review)

Set within an established sculpture garden, our proposal is shaped to create breathing space between itself and the Heritage House while reinstating the original entry. This gesture allows the sculpture garden to flow through, creating a constant sense of orientation and connection to the history of the site, while introducing an unmistakably civic quality to the street edge.

Roberts Gray Architects in collaboration with Designgroup New Zealand are part of a shortlisted panel of 5 teams invited to provide a concept design for a new extension to the Aigantighe Art Gallery in Te Tihi-o-Maru (Timaru). The proposals have been exhibited for community feedback and are currently under jury review.

Existing Conditions ︎ The existing additions seek to replicate the suburban form and scale of the neighbourhood and in the process end up shying away from any sense of civic quality while diminishing the presence of the original homestead.

Breathing Space ︎ The first move is to give the Heritage House breathing space by shifting all galleries and large areas of building programme to the edges of the site.

A Loop of Landscape ︎ Placing all large programme to the south and east edges of the site allows the sculpture garden to encircle the Heritage House in a continuous 'loop of landscape' that reaches out to draw in the original entry to the site.

Unifying Roof Plane ︎ A large roof plane binds the building together - reaching out to mark the new entry, while tapering back to create a new public forecourt that is shared with the Heritage House Gallery.

Linking to Heritage ︎ A delicate link bridge connects to the Heritage House on the upper level while a covered walkway provides the interface at ground level.

Building materials are selected to express the South Canterbury region and for their low embodied carbon. The Timaru Bluestone facade supports local industry and expresses the skills of local craftspeople, while the timber structure and Southland Maple Beech lining sequesters carbon and creates a warm interior atmosphere.

The thick walls of galleries and back of house programme create thermally and acoustically isolated environments while high-level clerestory windows draw in controlled natural light.

Connection to the outdoors through cross ventilation, glazed circulation and courtyards creates a break from the conditioned galleries, promoting a healthy building with a constant sense of orientation.

The diverse range of spaces allow for high levels of operational flexibility to expand the range of art viewing, educational and social experiences at Aigantighe. Architecture and operations combine to create cultural experiences that supports the health and wellbeing of the diverse audiences it serves.

The approach from the street confidently expresses a civic quality, while increasing breaks in the façade and a planted berm guide visitors up to the main entrance and into a sheltered north-facing forecourt between the new wing and Heritage House.

The journey through the new wing creates conscious relationships with the site's history. Courtyard vitrines draw light and sculpture into the building while acting as a way finding element, bluestone galleries are illuminated, and glazed circulation paths present the Heritage House as a constant backdrop.

The staff and storage, or the “ideas and archive” float above on Level 1 as well as a host of other comfortable spaces for smaller groups and a delicate link bridge to the heritage house.

The external loop of landscape and internal circulation paths offer clear views into gallery spaces which are illuminated bluestone objects within this open field.

Moving deeper into the site, the two buildings gesture toward each other while the geometry of the new wing releases around the corner, guiding you out into the sculpture garden.

In contrast to the open field of public circulation, the galleries generate their own distinct atmosphere through a change in ceiling height and flooring material. The floor is bluestone pavers arranged in a unique herringbone pattern, a nod to the flooring design found in the original Heritage House.

Transitioning through the loop of landscape, you are brought out into the sculpture garden. Function spaces open out onto this area, while staff, library and parent rooms are given elevated views out over the garden to the bay beyond.

Conceived as a loop, the journey back to the entry encapsulates the project’s ambitions.

Courtyard vitrines drawing light and sculpture into the building while acting as a way finding element, bluestone galleries are illuminated, the heritage house forms a backdrop, and the geometry of the building gently guides you to the end of your journey.