Building
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu features a flowing glass and metal sculpture wall evoking the sinuous form of the koru and the River Avon that flows through Christchurch. Curved pools of water at the base of the wall also echo the River Avon and create an impression of constantly changing light.
Designed by leading Australasian architects, The Buchan Group, the Gallery is a three level building covering 60 percent of a large inner city site. The outdoor area is a Sculpture Garden, incorporating trees, water features and recreational spaces, which offer a gathering space and destination in its own right.
The building houses nine exhibition areas, a reference and study library, multi-purpose auditorium, education workrooms, underground car-parking, restaurant and retail outlets and extensive collection storage space.
The two levels of exhibition space are ordered, rectangular forms, allowing for flexibility of purpose. First level balconies overlook the main foyer and out to the Sculpture Garden, reinforcing the internal/external flow.
Split-face bluestone is used on the lower walls to link with the surrounding heritage buildings. Steel strapping runs from the base to the top between the courses of bluestone, with red granite as a feature material.
Visitors to the site are welcomed by a large gateway sculpture, Reasons for Voyaging, a collaboration between internationally respected Canterbury sculptor Graham Bennett and architect, David Cole.
