ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
Auckland Art Gallery was awarded World Building of the Year at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore on 5 October.
The gallery also won the ‘Completed Buildings – Culture’ category at the awards. In addition, the gallery won the ‘Culture’ category for interior design at the recent INSIDE Festival - a partner event to the WAF.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, which is owned and managed by Auckland Council, was one of 12 buildings shortlisted in the Completed Buildings - Culture category.
The nine-year building redevelopment, completed in 2011, was a joint project between Australian architecture firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) and local studio Archimedia, and led by former Auckland Art Gallery Director, Chris Saines.
Mayor of Auckland Len Brown says, ‘The awards recognise the gallery’s status as a national icon for the arts. It also acknowledges Auckland’s vision for the gallery; the exceptional work of the architects, designers and gallery team involved; and the support of the Auckland arts community.’
Auckland Art Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says, ‘Since the expansion and restoration of its building, Auckland Art Gallery has attracted over a million people through its doors, a sure sign of embrace from Aucklanders, as well as from local and international visitors.
‘Our new building is cherished not only by the design community, but by people from all cultures and walks of life.'
‘We are truly honoured to have such a magnificent home for the most comprehensive collection of New Zealand art in the world, and look forward to attracting even more visitors to enjoy our exceptional and beautifully-crafted building and our dynamic programme.’
Design Director FJMT Richard Francis-Jones, says 'It is a great honour to receive these significant international awards and a great acknowledgement of the special quality of the Auckland Art Gallery.
‘Especially so as it is the building’s embodiment of the unique qualities of place and culture that has been so widely applauded by the international juries.’
Archimedia Principal Lindsay Mackie attended the Festival and says, ’One of our early aspirations for the project was to achieve for the Gallery, for Auckland and for New Zealand a degree of international recognition that would elevate both the institution and the city as only modern global media can, without resorting to architectural sensation or departing from the truly local.’
Auckland Art Gallery was awarded World Building of the Year at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore on 5 October. The gallery also won the ‘Completed Buildings – Culture’ category at the awards. In addition, the gallery won the ‘Culture’ category for interior design at...
Auckland Art Gallery was awarded World Building of the Year at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Singapore on 5 October.
The gallery also won the ‘Completed Buildings – Culture’ category at the awards. In addition, the gallery won the ‘Culture’ category for interior design at the recent INSIDE Festival - a partner event to the WAF.
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, which is owned and managed by Auckland Council, was one of 12 buildings shortlisted in the Completed Buildings - Culture category.
The nine-year building redevelopment, completed in 2011, was a joint project between Australian architecture firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) and local studio Archimedia, and led by former Auckland Art Gallery Director, Chris Saines.
Mayor of Auckland Len Brown says, ‘The awards recognise the gallery’s status as a national icon for the arts. It also acknowledges Auckland’s vision for the gallery; the exceptional work of the architects, designers and gallery team involved; and the support of the Auckland arts community.’
Auckland Art Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says, ‘Since the expansion and restoration of its building, Auckland Art Gallery has attracted over a million people through its doors, a sure sign of embrace from Aucklanders, as well as from local and international visitors.
‘Our new building is cherished not only by the design community, but by people from all cultures and walks of life.'
‘We are truly honoured to have such a magnificent home for the most comprehensive collection of New Zealand art in the world, and look forward to attracting even more visitors to enjoy our exceptional and beautifully-crafted building and our dynamic programme.’
Design Director FJMT Richard Francis-Jones, says 'It is a great honour to receive these significant international awards and a great acknowledgement of the special quality of the Auckland Art Gallery.
‘Especially so as it is the building’s embodiment of the unique qualities of place and culture that has been so widely applauded by the international juries.’
Archimedia Principal Lindsay Mackie attended the Festival and says, ’One of our early aspirations for the project was to achieve for the Gallery, for Auckland and for New Zealand a degree of international recognition that would elevate both the institution and the city as only modern global media can, without resorting to architectural sensation or departing from the truly local.’
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