Auckland Art Gallery · New Zealand

“Tree-like canopies made from native New Zealand kauri wood frame the gallery”The central challenge of the redevelopment was to transform and expand an 1887 heritage building and the connected 1916 Mackelvie Gallery set on the edge of the city’s Albert Park into an adaptable, contemporary space. Of key importance was the creation of a seamless pedestrian transition from the park down to the bustling streets below, which was achieved with the introduction of landscaped terraces and large glazed window facades.

However, the most exciting element of the gallery’s exterior is surely the layered tree-like canopies made from native New Zealand kauri wood, which frame the gallery in striking tones of rich amber and unite the old gallery spaces with the new part of the building. Generous atriums at the front and back of the building link it to with the surrounding tree canopy in the park behind. Since its opening in 2011, Auckland Art Gallery has been awarded numerous accolades, including World Building of the Year at the 2013 World Architecture Festival Awards. If you’re lucky enough to be nearby, keep tabs on its permanent and temporary exhibitions here.