An Invercargill City Council director believes the new design for the region’s museum breaks the mould of what a museum should look like.
The concept design for the development, created by Australian architects Fjcstudio, and Auckland firms Evatt Martin Architects and Design Tribe Architects, was released today for the museum to be built by December 2025.
As well as a museum, Project 1225 will also deliver a museum storage facility and a dedicated tuatara facility at Queens Park.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times this week, council programme director Lee Butcher said the design was much more than what was expected.
It had the "wow factor" that they were aiming for with a cafe, retail space and education areas, along with the museum area, he said.
"I think the architects definitely delivered a design that we didn’t foresee.
"They’ve done a very, very good job of understanding culturally and aspirationally what we’re trying to do ourselves ... and they’ve delivered us a building that’s way beyond anything that we probably perceived or had any aspirations for. It’s just so cool."
He said the project was split into three parts — a glass foyer area which connects with nature and Queens Park, the west wing where an amphitheatre could host screenings and events and the museum building itself which was an open-plan space.
Invercargill City Council infrastructure group manager Erin Moogan said she was blown away by the design of the building.
Councillors had already seen an early draft of the designs and given their feedback to go into this final concept design.
"They were really impressed with what they saw and believe this spectacular building will make a great addition to the city and the region.
"We are really looking forward to hearing what the community has to say about these designs."
Council was set to endorse the design at Tuesday’s council meeting where the budget for Project 1225 would be confirmed and the museum name considered.
