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Exciting concepts for a new Visitor Information Centre were presented to the council on 23 June 2009.
The council is moving ahead with the project to create a new Visitor Information Centre adjacent to the riverfront walkway. Almost 60% of respondents in Referendum ’09 voted to relocate the Visitor Centre and the decision was approved by council at its 10-Year Plan deliberations on June 8.
The centre is currently located next to the Council Building in Guyton Street. It has limited space, is poorly sited for visitors to find and is no longer suitable for its purpose.
Council set three basic criteria for the new centre –
- That the new visitor centre be on council-owned land adjacent to the riverfront walkway;
- That the total cost not exceed $1.1 million;
- That the design be enduring, startling and special.
Three architects stepped up to that challenge and on June 23 presented their concepts for the design competition. The entries are from Dalgleish Architects, DLA Architects and Void Architecture who have all developed their concepts at no cost to the council.
A static presentation was set up in the lobby of the War Memorial Hall in July and the public had the opportunity during July to give feedback on the designs. Council has not yet made a decision on its preferred option.
Concepts and images
Dalgleish Architects - led by Craig Dalgleish
This concept sites the Visitor Information Centre on the corner of Taupo Quay and Drews Avenue on the land currently occupied by the Tram Shed. It proposes that the Tram Shed is moved to a site closer to the Waimarie. The design is for an eco-facade building, which would provide a park-like appearance from the river side and incorporate the heritage feel of Taupo Quay. The eco-building would include reuse of energy and resources. The building would allow for the Department of Conservation and Iwi to have a presence and a second complementary building, with an exterior look based on eel trap weaving, would provide space for a hotel and offices.
View movie
(Click on the images to see more detail)
   
DLA Architects - led by Bruce Dickson
This concept is based on the current Tram Shed site as the preferred location, moving the Tram Shed adjacent to the Waimarie to create a transport hub and possibly a Transport Museum. The Visitor Centre building design is based on a wharenui structure, with a high roof open to the light, and reflecting the design of the Tram Shed and Riverboat Centre buildings. The design incorporates space for the Department of Conservation, public toilets and an area for buses. It takes a sustainable approach with the use of solar panels, natural light and reuse of rain water from the roof for a fountain and wetland area.
View interior animation
View exterior animation
(Click on the images to see more detail)
 
 
Void Architecture Research Urbanism - led by Mark Southcombe
This concept is based on an adaptive re-use of the existing heritage building at 31 Taupo Quay (the Tearaway building). Using an existing building would allow development to be done in stages, as commercial partners were found. The new Visitor Information Centre would overlook the Whanganui River and open out onto the riverfront boardwalk. Other aspects of the design include incorporating a New Zealand Museum of Glass, cafe, shop, public toilets, Department of Conservation office, multimedia auditorium, with more space available to be let to commercial operators (e.g. a boutique hotel, seminar facilities or office space).
View concepts and commentary (PDF, 8.94MB)
(Click on the images to see more detail)
 
 
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