Redevelopment of HBMAG is needed because of the quality of the collections inside.
The Design
The design of the new development focuses on creating fitting backdrops for these collections, remembering that most of the pieces are small art works and objects of a domestic scale. The design speaks to Napier's Art Deco lineage, and also to the history and evolution of the current museum buildings. It is a design centred on creating a space which is modern, light and iconic.
The Visitor Experience
The new wing will be an architectural statement, in itself a visitor experience, and will create a great entry to the HBMAG offering. The exterior of the new wing will feature a large artwork by Sara Hughes. This will create a spectacular visual magnet in the city - a beautifully wrapped gift-box - magnificent, enticing, grounded in the history of the original museum, and hinting at the great wonders and many intrigues housed within the gallery spaces and collection rooms.
