Netherlands based UN Studio wins national museum extension

The competition aimed to enliven the waterfront of Wellington (the capital city of New Zealand) and consisted of two parts: the extension of Te Papa and a proposal for new waterfront buildings containing a mixture of apartments, offices and leisure functions. The brief required the project to identify a leading edge, include innovative design and to expand on the quality contribution New Zealand architects have already made to the waterfront. In opposition to a traditional gallery-organization UN Studio proposed fluent sequences of zigzagging spaces with large communicative zones in between, which can accommodate for exhibiting unusually large works. The design allows contemplative areas for experiencing face-to-face the exhibited art-pieces and permits visitors to perceive sculptures and paintings from different heights, angles and positions and in different relations to each other.