Competition
In 1998 an architectural competition to design the Gallery was launched. This was to be the first time in 50 years that a custom-designed art museum would be built in New Zealand, and the competition attracted 97 entries. The only rules were that the entries had to come from New Zealand Registered Architects, the designs had to meet the functional brief and they also had to fit within the budget.
All 97 entries were kept anonymous and were reduced to a short list. The five finalists were then given more extensive information and the opportunity to develop their widely varying concepts further. The panel was unanimous in its choice – the design of The Buchan Group was selected. Their unique design was characterised by the glazed Sculpture Wall that is such spectacular feature of the Gallery.
