This project epitomises the benefits of a research-led design approach that looked to reflect Artspace Aotearoa’s commitment to supporting contemporary art. The established goals were to gain more space for exhibitions and provide opportunities to present new programmes at street-level access. The opportunity was to develop closer relationships with the neighbourhood and local community, and reflect the institution's unique character as a risk-taker and deeply engaged member of the cultural community. 

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The concept for the new space provides the ideal backdrop for the institution’s bold exhibitions and other programming in a flexible, utilitarian and robust interior landscape that provides facilities not just for exhibitions, but for events, office space and research. 

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The solution employs devices that are perhaps less commonly seen in the white-box world of contemporary exhibition spaces – galvanised fittings, exposed conduits and flexible ceiling frame systems highlight the rough concrete language of the existing building, which is a slender landmark on Karangahape Road. Acknowledging that self-promotion is a core activity of urban arts groups, we designed a large-scale interior wall for posters that is used to advertise all of the city’s arts events – bringing the bill sticker wall of ‘K Road’ into the gallery

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