Last night the Auckland Museum South Atrium celebrated the grand new entry space with an opening event of spectacular scale and today, after being closed for approximately 18 months, Auckland Museum reopens its South Atrium entrance to reveal the most significant changes to the Museum in more than a decade!
Parnell based Jasmax; a multi-disciplinary design practice that approaches each project with open minds and a determination to exceed expectations designed the South Atrium upgrade, and it is beyond incredible.
“The revitalization of the museum is built off a 20-year future masterplan. The design seeks to respect the building’s heritage and fulfill its potential by breathing new life into the museum. A key driver of the works is to improve circulation routes and intuitive wayfinding, and to transform the Southern Atrium into a generously-sized, warm and accessible arrival space where visitors will be welcomed with manaakitanga.
“Driven by the Museum’s bicultural vision, the design connects visitors to the museum, its collections and its context in Tāmaki Makarau, Aotearoa and the South Pacific. The revitalised space will broaden and deepen people’s engagement, cementing the museum’s status as a cultural leader and major tourist attraction.”, said the architectural joint venture of Jasmax with FJMT and design Tribe.
For the first time, Auckland Museum has two compelling and distinctive entry experiences, one acknowledging the Museums rich history and global heritage, and the other celebrating their place in the culture and cultures of 21st century Auckland and Aotearoa.
What felt very much like the back door of a public building now provides a visually stunning museum arrival, entry and orientation experience with world-class hospitality and retail. You’ve got to see it to believe it, trust us, it’s likely to give you Goosebumps.
