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20 January 1999 |
The New Gallery!
The Architectural Competition
At last, a chance to view all 94 design submissions for our City’s new Gallery!
5 February – 28 March 1999
An open competition for the design of the new Christchurch Art Gallery generated huge interest amongst architects, and resulted in the panel of assessors receiving an a remarkable number and variety of concept designs. All 94 submissions for the new Christchurch Art Gallery (including the five finalists), by New Zealand Registered Architects only, will be on display at the McDougall’s Art Annex.
When Stage One of the competition was advertised, in July 1998, a total of 180 expressions of interest were registered, and competition guidelines distributed. By the deadline of 28 August 1998, 94 submissions from throughout New Zealand had been received. In September the panel of assessors selected five finalists to further develop their designs for Stage Two of the competition. This panel of experts were highly qualified in all areas relating to the project (see attached list). The final decision was based on the winning design’s ability to demonstrate the best overall response to the Council’s approved brief and objectives, which was announced on 25 November, 1998.
After 30 years of debate Christchurch finally received tangible evidence of a new Art Gallery.
This exhibition displays all of the concept design drawings, and demonstrates the calibre of architects involved in the competition, and the fascinating variety of approaches to the brief. Information on the new Gallery, the judging panel and Council objectives will also be on display at the Annex.
"The new Christchurch Art Gallery is the most important contribution the City has made to its artistic life since the building of the Town Hall."
(Tony Preston, Robert McDougall Art Gallery Director)
At present, the winning design concept is being refined in consultation with the client. The New Gallery! The Architectural Competition opens at the McDougall Art Annex on 5 February and runs until 28 March, 1999.
The Robert McDougall Art Gallery, located in the Botanic Gardens, is the country’s most visited public art gallery featuring regularly changing exhibitions of international and New Zealand historical and contemporary art. The McDougall Art Annex is the Gallery’s contemporary space and is located in the Christchurch Arts Centre off Rolleston Ave. Both venues are open daily (except Christmas Day) 10am – 5.30pm. Admission to this exhibition is free.
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