The Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand was crowned the Building of the Year, Friday, at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) held in Singapore. The gallery was one of the seven projects of New Zealand that made it to the 2013 shortlist, according to several news reports.
Not only did the Auckland Art Gallery receive the 'Building of the Year' award but was also declared the winner in the 'Culture' category for interior design at the INSIDE Festival, a partner event of WAF, reports New Zealand Herald.
"The awards recognize 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," Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland, said in an official press statement.
The Auckland Art Gallery is the principal public exhibition space of New Zealand. It has the most extensive collection of the country's art. The Renaissance style building was earlier a public library and also housed council offices. It first opened in 1887.
The gallery underwent a nine-year renovation to open in 2011. The overhaul was a joint project between Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT), a famous Australian architecture firm and Archimedia, a local studio. The project was led by Chris Saines, who was the Director of the gallery at that time. The architects added a new entrance and doubled the flexible interior spaces, reports Dezeen.
The gallery now boasts a modern architecture with a wood panelled roof that appears to be floating at different levels. Glass walls and canopies match the nearby trees.
Check out the pictures of the gallery at Dezeen.
"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," Auckland Art Gallery Director, Rhana Devenport, said in a statement.
"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," Devenport added.
About The World Architecture Festival
The World Architecture festival is an annual convention where achievements of the global architectural community are lauded. Architects from various countries gather to debate, learn and enlighten themselves on the subject. The awards given by the WAF are referred to as "The Oscars of The Architectural World"
The event was held from 2 to 4 October at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Winners were selected in categories of Completed Buildings, Landscape Projects, and Future Projects - with sub-categories in each cohort.
Check out the complete list of winners, here. You can also see all the entries and the 2013 shortlist at the World Architecture Festival official website.
In 2012, The Cooled Conservatories Building in Singapore by Wilkinson Eyre was awarded the 'Building of the Year'.
