Lopdell House Redevelopment Project
The Lopdell House Development Trust have now lodged the application for resource consent for the redevelopment of Lopdell House and Lopdell Hall and the construction of a new gallery adjacent to the existing building. The application, including full scale copies of the plans may be viewed at the Waitakere City Council administration building, 6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson or from the Council website under Planning, Land Use Consents.
In brief, the new gallery will enable us to deliver a much wider range of exhibitions and meet the national environmental standards expected of a public art gallery. Architects Mitchell & Stout have also designed a fantastic new teaching space which will be a wonderful asset for the whole community. Lopdell House will undertake extensive earthquake strengthening and 30 new car parking spaces will be created. We are once again calling for your support of this project, submission forms are available on the Council website at http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/AbtCnl/ct/hearings.asp or from the Gallery. Written or electronic submissions must be received at Council no later than 5pm, 12 November 2009. Please make a submission in support of this project, your submission can make a difference.
The Project
The Architects - Mitchell & Stout have proposed the upgrade of Lopdell House will include:
- larger exhibition spaces
- internationally agreed standards of lighting and humidity control
- significant increase in parking
- structural upgrading to strengthen its response to earthquakes
Design
In 2004, Mitchell Stout Architects Ltd were commissioned to produce concept drawings for the redevelopment of Lopdell House. Independent consultants have advised on gallery design, geotechnical conditions and seismic upgrading of the present building. A full site survey has been carried out and boreholes drilled to assess site conditions. The brief has been driven in part by the needs of the community and in part by the potential and limitations of the exiting building and site.
The proposed new building is stylistically distinct and contemporary in accordance with presently accepted conservation policy in relation to old buildings. By locating a new addition to the western existing service end, the view and outlook to the south from Lopdell House is maintained.
Mitchell and Stout were responsible for transforming the former BNZ building into Tauranga Art Gallery www.artgallery.org.nz and have recently been awarded an Architecture Award for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region in the Public Architecture category, for the project. The awards programme is organised and run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects and is supported by Resene, to celebrate the region's most exciting new building projects.The awards celebrate quality, competent new architecture at a community level, and is the first level of achievement in the annual three-tier New Zealand Architecture Awards programme. Winners from the regional categories are shortlisted for the national New Zealand Architecture Awards, which are due to be announced in April 2009.
Funding
The redevelopment will only proceed if funding can be sourced from trusts and foundations. The Portage Licensing Trust have pledged a significant sum and Waitakere City Council have recommended to the Annual Plan Committee that funds be set aside for 2007/08.
Community Support
Lopdell House Gallery welcomes your feedback and letters of support.
Corner Titirangi & South Titirangi Roads, Auckland 0604
The gallery is open daily from 10am - 4.30pm, except Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Anzac Day morning and during exhibition installation. Admission is free thanks to the support of Waitakere City Council.