13 December 2018
Four shortlisted architects were briefed on Waipā's new discovery centre yesterday - Te Ara Wai - in preparation for a formal bid for the work.
The North Island architects were shortlisted from 16 architect and consultant teams who expressed an interest in the project described as one of New Zealand's most exciting heritage projects. The briefing and tour will be followed by an interview and presentation to the evaluation panel.
The appointment of the architect will be made by the Waipā Discovery Centre Governance Committee and Council.
Waipa District Council museum and heritage manager Tony Roxburgh said the three step selection process was crucial to the success of the project.
The architect is one of the key decisions for this project. We need them to understand the significance of the Waipā stories we are telling and the unique national experience we're creating focussed around the New Zealand Land Wars. This is a new concept for the Waikato and for New Zealand and we have to get it right.
Architects were required to have extensive experience in the field, including having previously designed a museum, cultural or discovery facility costing more than $3 million. Roxburgh said they expected the architect to be confirmed in March 2019.
Once confirmed the design process will take around 12 months before we see any construction on the ground.
Alongside the design of the building those tasked with creating Te Ara Wai will also be planning the exhibition areas and continuing with the development of the Waipā journeys project - a website that links visitors to sites of significance across the district.
It's an incredibly exciting time for Waipā and it's imperative we get this right. Te Ara Wai will be a centre of national and international significance and a number of people around New Zealand are already strongly invested in this project. These are our people and our stories and we have a responsibility to protect and share them in a way that's accessible to everyone.
Follow progress on Te Ara Wai and sign-up to receive e-newsletter updates at waipadc.govt.nz/TeAraWai
Caption: Tony Roxburgh, museum and heritage manager, briefs visiting architects.