Author(s): .

NZ Architecture/Interiors

Photography by Krzysztof Pfeiffer and essay by David Mitchell on the transformation of the Auckland War Memorial Museum to portray three major stories: War Memorial, Natural History and Human History. The design of the remodelled building respects the fine architecture inherited from the building's 1920s development, and its 1950s extension; restoring spaces back to their original floor plans, removing partitioning and reinstating lost decoration and detail. A further stage of development was required as many of the facilities necessary in a modern museum, and not considered in the 1920s and 1950s designs, were simply unachievable within the confines of the existing building. Plans were made for the Stage II Grand Atrium Project and the first refurbishment stage was completed by Christmas 1999; the second stage works were completed by Christmas 2006. Noel Lane Architects have won several awards for the quality of their achievements.