Settlers Museum plans revealed

An artist's impression illustrates a proposed new entranceway at the Otago Settlers Museum. This concept plan includes a new-look museum shop (pictured left, at rear), coffee shop (at right), and (at rear), a portal leading into the museum's Burnside building and the rest of the redeveloped complex. Photo by Hierarchy Architecture.

It had been hoped to open the redeveloped museum in mid-November but the schedule was looking tight and late November now seemed a more likely date, museum director Linda Wigley said yesterday.

The fourth and final stage of the redevelopment focuses on building an arrow-shaped entranceway and foyer area at the north end of the complex, where the steam locomotive Josephine will be prominently displayed.

Among the new foyer's features are a rimu floor and decorative use of Oamaru stone on an internal wall.

Ms Wigley said the new foyer was intended to be a "warm and friendly meeting place" which would also inform visitors and lead them in to the rest of the museum.

The new entranceway has also been designed to be used for evening functions, and a 130-seat museum auditorium is also sited nearby. It is proposed a central inquiries desk be fitted with wheels, enabling it to be moved away, freeing up central floor space for evening functions.

The museum remains largely closed to the public but many museum activities are continuing, including an active learning experiences outside the classroom educational programme.

Preliminary work on the redevelopment's fourth stage began in December.

Foundations had now been laid and prefabricated concrete wall panels were being put up, museum officials said.

The fourth stage is due to be completed in October.

Concept plans for the new-look foyer interior, developed by Hierarchy Architecture, in Christchurch, were tabled at yesterday's Settlers Museum board meeting.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz