This is New Zealand’s only dedicated single Artist Gallery. 

The Len Lye Centre is designed to fulfil multiple requirements. It needed to integrate with a proposed new art and cultural precinct which links through to the commercial heart of the city and it also needed to seamlessly merge with an existing Art Gallery facility. The finished building introduces new gallery spaces, education studios, a cinema, the Len Lye Archive and a dedicated motor room for his kinetic works. 

“[Len Lye would] be absolutely thrilled, he’d be dancing around in this place,” John Matthews, Len Lye Foundation Chairman.

The building of curved stainless steel and concrete, incorporates a new urban sculpture square linking to a waterfront walkway. The 3000m building engages with the urban square via a light reflecting and transmitting facade. This transfers light in a holographic effect from one place to another to successfully enliven and activate both.

Len Lye is known for his kinetic work, sculptural art powered by electricity. The building uses a sustainable energy source to practically include ESD principles in a high performance environment which is required by International touring exhibition standards. This energy system has been negotiated with the projects sponsors, a major international sustainable energy corporation.

Photography by Patrick Reynolds and Sam Harnett.