| 7 Richard Loader Gallery’s new facade set to sparkle REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Whanganui DC/McMillan & Lockwood: Sarjeant Gallery The Serjeant Gallery Redevelopment 04 472 1412 www.cbp.co.nz Clendon Burns & Park Ltd has operated as a rm of Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers in Wellington for over 65 years. Our ability to provide specialist structural engineering skills in a small, versatile and highly personalised team environment is one of the key reasons so many of our clients have been returning to us for decades. As Main Contractor McMillan & Lockwood are honoured to have the privilege to complete this iconic project. It has been an exciting few weeks for the Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment project team as a final design concept for the façade of the gallery extension building in Whanganui has been revealed. While Oamaru stone was originally specified for the extension’s facade, when the current supply of stone was tested, it didn’t meet the required specification for the building. Unlike the heritage building where the exterior walls start at ground level and the blocks are stacked in layers joined together by mortar, the exterior of the new wing will be constructed from thin panels of stone commencing at the second level, held in place using a mechanical fixing system that pins each stone panel into position, with no mortar or adhesive required. Heavy plywood substrate and weather membranes will surround the second level onto which a vertical steel rail system will be attached. These rails support the brackets which hold in place the stone panels and form the facade. “This design calls for a highly specified grade of stone,” says Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment Project Director Gaye Batty. “Oamaru stone is a natural, variable material and the quarry was unable to guarantee the density of the current supply, creating an unacceptable risk of cracking and failure if it were used as a cladding material. “However, this was seen as an opportunity to explore a range of alternative facade ideas as part of a collaborative co-design process to reflect the culture and rich history of Whanganui and Mana Whenua.” The result is an inspirational new concept for the facade which will be constructed from dark stone panels, highlighted by splashes of shiny steel Tioata inserts to create the effect of light shimmering on the water. Gaye says this light effect, that can be seen under certain conditions on the Whanganui River, is referred to as Kānapanapa, and is the key design narrative for the building chosen through a series of workshops with architect Warren & Mahoney and Te Kahui Toi, the artist group appointed by Te Rūnanga o Tūpoho. The stone panels are trapezoidal in shape and will be formed into a pattern known as Aramoana, which is unique to Whanganui, using honed and polished stone finishes to create contrast and shadow and symbolise the pathway from the river to the sea. This will mean a change in appearance of the facade from the original scope and the new wing will now contrast significantly with the 104-year-old Sarjeant Gallery, which was built of Oamaru stone, and look different from the early concept renders of the redevelopment that were used to attract the interest of funders and supporters. “From a project management perspective, the process of alternative stone selection and co-design for the façade has been robust, the granite chosen meets the strength /seismic specifications as determined by the building code, is readily available and the manufacturer/builder is confident of delivery within the construction programme.” The gallery extension, which is named Te Pātaka o Sir Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa, is part of a major redevelopment of the Sarjeant Gallery. “Construction is due to finish in December 2023, with the inaugural opening planned for April 2024 once the artwork and opening exhibitions have been installed,” says Gaye. The Sarjeant Gallery facade will be constructed from dark stone panels, highlighted by splashes of shiny steel Tioata inserts to create the effect of light shimmering on the water. Image: Warren & Mahoney
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