A new, multifunctional venue delivering a vital community heart for Blenheim
Te Kahu o Waipuna - Marlborough Library + Art Gallery
Revitalised riverfront
Early discussions with the community identified a desire for the building to connect to the riverside outdoor spaces and importantly, provide a civic space that communicates messages of cultural identity, civic pride and regional excellence.
The location is significant to local iwi, Rangitāne, who have a long-standing association with the awa and adjacent land. It was the home to former pā and gardens alongside the waterways around which Blenheim is built. Te Kahu o Waipuna – the protective cloak of Waipuna - was the name gifted by mana whenua.
The Marlborough District Library and Art Gallery is the perfect example of project components working together to result in a near-faultless facility. Robust procurement, design, and construction processes were integral to the project’s success.
Lifeline of arts and culture
The opportunity to combine the library and the Millennium Gallery has opened possibilities for a multigenerational engagement with learning and art in a new and uplifting environment, unique to Blenheim.
The new gallery provides environmental and operational facilities to the highest professional standards in accordance with the national requirements for public art galleries in New Zealand, as required by Museums Aotearoa. Because of these high standards, Blenheim can now host exhibitions of rare and valuable works previously unable to be exhibited in Marlborough.
From its initial inception through to completion, this project was marked by strong collaboration and a seamless progression of stages. Comprehensive reviews at each phase ensured a deep understanding of the building’s intended role and what was required to align with local needs. The ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and maintain high work standards under pressure underscored the teams’ expertise and commitment to the project’s success.
Local context
The building overlooks the Wither Hills and Taylor River, which both served as inspiration for its design. The perforated, folded screens are an abstract nod to the brown hills while filtering the bright Marlborough light.
This civic project sets the precedent for development and creates a vibrant community hub. The blended programmes of gallery and library result in a successful symbiotic relationship that increases patronage to both, with numbers suggesting the ‘Bilbao Effect’ effect is revitalising the city.
It is of course a library and an art gallery – but it’s also a living space. It’s a children’s space, it’s an all-ages space, it’s a future technology space, and that’s what the people of Marlborough wanted.
Collective Effort
Collective Effort
