Sir Ron Carter stands proudly in front of the suspended hemisphere, which houses the lecture theatre, at the Auckland Museum. Photo / Richard Robinson
Sir Ron Carter stands proudly in front of the suspended hemisphere, which houses the lecture theatre, at the Auckland Museum. Photo / Richard Robinson
The Herald continues a series in which prominent Aucklanders from different backgrounds nominate their favourite buildings built since 2000
The extension to the museum epitomises the process through which a great city will be built, adding to the inside as well as the outside.
The extension does not try to be stand-alone, rather it seeks to build within and upon what has been created before.
It is a newbuilding but it is wholly contained within the envelope of the preceding stages of construction, the first in the 1920s, the second in the 1950s.
Although it is contained within the envelope, and therefore cannot be seen separately from the outside, this is a characteristic, and, seen from the inside, it certainly is truly remarkable in its concept, design and construction.
The extension fulfils functions that were not previously present. Storage and carparking facilities are utilities but essential. Space for people to gather, learn and socialise, these are special elements of the extension.
The conference centre, the atrium, the function centre, all are essential elements for the educational and cultural centre that it is.
From the inside, the suspended hemisphere, which contains the lecture theatre, stands out. As a structural engineer, I am impressed by both the form and the construction.
Is this the final building block? I doubt it. The museum will continue to grow along with our great city that it serves.
Perhaps future expansion projects will be internal as the form and function continue to be integrated allowing more interconnection between all stages.
What must not be challenged is the integrity of form that this prominent structure exhibits and the centrepiece of our cultural heritage which it is.
Most buildings are owned by someone else. A property company, a major institution or corporation. This building is owned by you and me. We are welcome to visit and explore its space. It is ours.
THE BUSINESSMAN
Sir Ron Carter is one of New Zealand's leading businessmen and engineers.
For many years he was managing director of the country's largest engineering firm, Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner. Retirement has not slowed his thirst for work and commitment to lift the country's sights.
As chairman of the lobby group Committee for Auckland, he has pushed for strong leadership for the Super City.
He sits on the national infrastructure advisory board set up by Infrastructure Minister Bill English, and is a director of Rugby New Zealand 2011.
He lives in Glendowie.
HE NOMINATES * The redevelopment of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, designed by Noel Lane.
* The project filled in the central courtyard at the rear of the museum with a huge four-storey bowl clad in rough-sawn Fijian kauri, and a rippling glass and copper dome which sits astride it.
* Work began in 2003 and was completed in December 2006 at a cost of $64.5 million.
