Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom

COMMUNITY / CIVIC, INTERIORS

• PROJECT

  Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom

• CLIENT

  The Dutch Connection Museum Trust, Horowhenua District Council

• LOCATION

  Foxton, Manawatū-Whanganui

• STATUS

  Completed

• COLLABORATORS

  Workshop e Exhibition Design

• AWARDS

  • Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects Western Public Award 2018

  • NEC Project of the Year 2018

  • Museum Project Excellence Award 2018

 …this apparently simple stroke of genius …showcases the best of what architecture can contribute to our communities…
– NZIA Judges Citation

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom was conceived as an educational centre, museum and library to exhibit the taonga of local iwi Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and of the Dutch Connection Trust.  The design achieves economical drama by punching the form of a new first floor extrusion through an existing Mitre 10 big box shed. The resulting central mezzanine creates a low central area housing the Library, with Māori and Dutch exhibit areas each side. with full height ceilings. Classrooms and Meeting rooms are in the mezzanine above. This co-location of museum and library, as well a café, council facilities, movie-viewing room, and workshops is a new form of community facility that has helped to invigorate Foxton’s Main Street, with many retail and hospitality outlets being upgraded.

At the front of the building the visitor is greeted by a Māori polychrome artwork on the upper level form which cantilevers over an inviting café. The cantilever at the rear provides a community window with balcony overlooking the river, thereby restoring an important historical connection with Main Street that was previously cut off by the bulk of the store.

The interior is colourful, modern and playful, pleasing townsfolk, visiting tourists and children alike with its plywood and steel angular forms that compliment without competing with the exhibits.