Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Logan Kendall
Design Statement The design for the Te Papa Museum, located along Wellington’s waterfront, serves as a powerful narrative of New Zealand’s cultural identity intertwined with its deep connection to the ocean. The architecture is a reflection of the nation’s heritage and the Maori people, with a focus on unity and history. The Te Papa Museum’s architectural design creatively weaves together the narratives of Maori heritage, maritime history, and British settlement. It showcases New Zealand’s cultural identity and its profound relationship with the sea, inviting visitors to connect with the nation’s past and shared heritage.
Speculative Drawings for Te Papa Building This speculative drawing serves as the culmination of the Te Papa Museum’s design process, encapsulating the various stages from conceptualization to realization. It’s a deliberate fusion of artistic expression and architectural vision, aligning closely with the structural principles of the actual museum. Central Denseness: The heart of the drawing features a dense and intricate composition, reminiscent of the intense creative energy harnessed during the concept phase. Like the central atrium of the museum, this dense core beckons viewers to explore and engage with its myriad design ideas and concepts. Wings of Lightness: Radiating from the central core, two wings employ an open, airy composition. These wings, echoing the design of the Te Papa Museum itself, employ white space and fewer, spaced-out drawings. This serves as a visual representation of the transition from initial concept to the simplified elegance found in the museum’s architectural wings. Map of Wellington: To ground the drawing and emphasize its connection to the city of Wellington, a darker map of the city is integrated as a backdrop. This map underscores that the museum not only signifies New Zealand’s cultural identity but is deeply rooted in the urban fabric of Wellington. It positions the museum as a landmark within the city, signifying a harmonious connection between the nation and its capital. Interpretation and Individuality: The drawing is intentionally open to interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with it in their unique way. Just like the Te Papa Museum’s mission to engage visitors with the multifaceted cultural identity of New Zealand, this drawing encourages diverse perspectives and individual interpretations. Unifying Design and Concept: The drawing’s design method mirrors the architectural concepts applied in the Te Papa Museum, solidifying the link between this speculative drawing and the actual design. This connection reinforces the design’s commitment to representing New Zealand’s rich heritage and culture while allowing viewers to engage with it at a deeply personal level.
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Site Analysis The Te Papa Museum’s design was heavily influenced by a site analysis primarily focusing on circulation and axis. It aimed to harmonize with and transcend the site as a symbol of New Zealand’s cultural identity while ensuring practical functionality.
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Analyzing circulation patterns led to the optimal entrance placement, enhancing visitor flow. The alignment with Matiu/Somes Island formed the building’s central spine and grid. This alignment inspired the waka atrium, which offers a view of Matiu/Somes island and Maori history. The Marae was strategically placed on the spine, facing north-east, while the building’s design incorporated the wharf’s shape, facilitating waterfront circulation. In essence, the site analysis deeply informed the functional and culturally rich Te Papa Museum design.
Precedent Studies
The Moor Market “The Moor Market” precedent had a profound impact on the Te Papa Museum’s design, complementing the influence of the Carillon d’Angélus Cellar. It featured a glass frontage in the museum’s wings to control light exposure in exhibition spaces. The clever use of indigenous bush between the glass and exhibitions created both a barrier and an expression of New Zealand’s natural beauty, making a striking first impression. Borrowing from this precedent, the museum embraced timber and glass in its material choices and integrated a dia-grid structure for seismic stability. This marriage of influences illustrates how narrative, form, and material can be harmoniously woven together in architectural design.
Carillon d’Angélus Cellar The Carillon d’Angélus Cellar precedent significantly shaped the Te Papa Museum design. Its glass frontage provided insight into visual integration with Wellington Harbor and passing foot traffic. The transparency creates a connection with the surrounding environment. Inspired by this, the museum harmoniously integrates the Marae internally and externally, fostering inclusivity. The material interplay of glass, timber, and exterior metal cladding in the precedent guided the material palette for the museum, blending modern architecture with traditional craftsmanship. Lastly, the Carillon d’Angélus Cellar’s form aligned with the waka-inspired atrium, ensuring the atrium symbolizes unity, akin to a waka gathering people from diverse backgrounds.
Maori Waka Atrium: The centerpiece of the museum is the Maori Waka-inspired atrium, representing the indigenous Maori people. The atrium, resembling a traditional waka (canoe), runs down the building’s spine and symbolizes the importance of unity and coming together. It overlooks Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbor, emphasizing the strong bond between New Zealand and the sea. Driven by structure, structure is exposed instead of being covered to enhance the form and shape, well providing an aesthetic touch. Atrium is a space for all visitors to come together and feel welcomed.
Sail-Inspired Wings: The museum consists of two distinctive “wings,” whose designs draw inspiration from the sails of historic sail ships. This architectural choice pays tribute to the arrival of British settlers on sail ships, notably Abel Tasman’s expedition in 1642 and James Cook’s exploration in 1769. The sail-shaped wings reinforce the connection between the museum and New Zealand’s maritime history. The sail-inspired wings connect the building to its rich history, emphasizing the pivotal role of sea exploration in New Zealand’s past. The design concept symbolizes the continuous relationship between the nation and the ocean and honors the cultural threads woven by both Maori and British heritage.
Marae: The heart of the design is the Marae, situated on a central platform within the atrium. This culturally significant space serves as an anchor stone for tribal identity, offering a place for people to come together within the museum. It underscores the concept of unity and shared heritage, much like the role of a waka in bringing diverse people together. It is visible from inside and out, and is where your journey through the museum will end.
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14. Security room + bags and storage 15. Cafe 16. Glazed water void 17. Auditorium support spaces 18. Support spaces fire exit 19. Small Auditoriums 20. Fire exit with fire corridor 21. Service lift 22 Support & storage | Black spaces | loading doc 23. Foyer / open area 24. Museum shop large 25. Fire exit with fire corridor 26. Large Auditorium 27. Auditorium foyer with 2 staircases + 2 elevators
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The Entrance Providing large glazing to welcome visitors with a distinct entrance. Well providing a crush space outside the main entry
Atrium A void down the centre with views towards Matiu/Somes Island. With the Marae at the focal point, tying the building and people together
Marae A view showcasing the gathering of people at the eye of the building, the Marea. With exhibition spaces to the left and venue spaces to the right. Mana Whenua occupies the landing space in front of the Marae (including the camera location)
Double height Spaces East wing void near main circulation
Double height Spaces West wing void showing cafe and city bush
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The South facade is the main entrance, with the Marae visible from the entry point. It shows the relationship between the waka inspired atrium, and the sail inspired wings, showcasing a harmonious form. The east facade, like the west, contains a large void to address the circulation route through the east wing, to create a breathe taking void and natural light.
The north and west facade show the city bush. For the north facade it provides a barrier between outside and exhibition spaces. And for the west facade, a presence inside and out for users or passers.
The long section cuts down the spine of the building, to unveil the Marae and its location. With the main circulation leading to the Marea, and designed to be at the end of the journey after visiting the exhibitions, the Marae brings the building and people together.
The short section is to show the narrative and occupation. Showcasing all 4 sail inspired forms, and their relationship to the waka atrium. It gives a sense of how the building is inhabited below the exposed structure. The far wing designed for public space on the ground floor, then venue spaces above, while the closer wing has the auditoriums on the ground floor, then exhibition spaces above.
Hand drawn perspective, with the amphitheater visible in the bottom right of the north facade.