World of Wearable Art Museum

By Archimedia

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A Masterplan approach was taken where the project was viewed as a tourist destination, and consequently needed as much intensification as possible.

To the Wearable Arts Gallery and Art Department were added a collection of seventy classic cars displayed by individual owners, a New Zealand modern art display gallery and a café to offer refreshments prior to tourists beginning their journey down the South Island’s West Coast.

To screen the mundane existing structure and link the new forms together, a metallic aluminium ribbon wall some 6 metres high was conceived, based on a dynamic wand and silk taper seen in a Wearable Art show. The aluminium fabric and frame were investigated to achieve the dynamic, flowing and twisting aerial character of the original fabric.

NZIA NEW ZEALAND AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE 2002
Jury Citation: “The sculptural qualities of this building are a convincing and appropriate response to the fantasy world of Wearable Arts and the historic world of Classic Cars. The building fabric has been tailored in the manner of the WearableArts exhibits. The 6 metre high aluminium wall that wraps over and around the new and existing buildings like a ribbon of material tying them all together is most successful. The restrained use of colour and materials is a foil to the wonderful richness of the exhibition within.”

Nelson, 2000

Project Team

  • Lindsay Mackie
  • Russell Pinel

Photography: Archimedia

Press & Awards

  • NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award 2002
  • PCNZ Merit Award – Special Purpose Building 2002
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Professionals used in
World of Wearable Art Museum

Archimedia
Archimedia
Architects
- 2019

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Archimedia

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About the
Professional

Archimedia is a New Zealand architecture practice with NZRAB and Green Star accredited staff, offering design services in the disciplines of architecture, interiors and ecology.

Archimedia uses the word “ecology” to extend the concept of sustainability to urban design and master planning and integrates this holistic strategy into every project.

Archimedia prioritises client project requirements, functionality, operational efficiency, feasibility, and programme. Once these fundamentals are soundly established, Archimedia pursues a sculptural architecture expressive of individual or collective identity.

Identity

  • Archimedia practices architecture as “material identity” – a crafted expression of individual or collective “identity” – embodying a synthesis of people, place and time.
  • Archimedia investigates “identity” with each client and endows buildings with a perceptible meaning that expresses this “identity” – the philosophical parti for all Archimedia projects.
  • Archimedia respects all cultures and their protocols and the fundamental connectedness of all humanity.

Human Experience

  • Archimedia is ambitious for the betterment of both humankind and the environment.
  • Archimedia approachs design with the intent that human beings register an “experience” of architecture which uplifts their daily existence.

Environment

  • Archimedia strives for “beauty”, the exceptional and the inspirational in each and every commission, irrespective of budget.
  • Archimedia believes in tectonics – a poetic configuration of land, space and structure.
  • Archimedia believes in positive intervention – sustainability that enhances eco-systems.

Process

  • Archimedia believes that the very best process and the very best technology are critical contributors in our quest for the exceptional.
  • Archimedia invests resources to create a better design solution.

Collaboration

  • Archimedia believes in collaboration between equals and the power of teamwork.
  • Archimedia's staff are consultative by nature and use processes that encourage user decision making wherever possible.