Opened in 1899, the Bishop Suter Art Gallery is the oldest continuously occupied public art gallery in New Zealand.
This extensive redevelopment replaced all of the existing building, except for the theatre and the Grade 2 listed Original Gallery. These historical spaces were fully restored to reveal the original roof trusses and external fabric, seismically strengthened, and brought up to modern gallery standards.
The new areas are designed as a contemporary counterpoint to the existing building, using glass, stone, zinc and the abstracted form of the Original Gallery to provide a sympathetic response to a much loved icon.
New spaces include three galleries, workshop, storage and office facilities, a new entrance foyer, education spaces, plus a shop and café overlooking the adjacent Queens Gardens.
Particular care has been taken with the building edge alongside Queens Gardens, which feature a low-scaled, stepped edge with glazing to reflect surrounding trees and the historic Eel Pond. This edge serves as a backdrop to a new Sculpture Walkway, located amongst the trees.
Client: Bishop Suter Trust, Nelson City Council
Status: Completed 2016
Location: Nelson
In association with: Warren & Mahoney
NZ Museum Awards, Winner – Museum Project Excellence Award, 2017
Senior Architectural Designer
Nelson
Senior Architectural Designer
Nelson
