Len Lye Centre banner

This is New Zealand’s only dedicated single Artist Gallery. 

The Len Lye Centre is designed to fulfil multiple requirements. It needed to integrate with a proposed new art and cultural precinct which links through to the commercial heart of the city and it also needed to seamlessly merge with an existing Art Gallery facility. The finished building introduces new gallery spaces, education studios, a cinema, the Len Lye Archive and a dedicated motor room for his kinetic works. 

[Len Lye would] be absolutely thrilled, he’d be dancing around in this place,” John Matthews, Len Lye Foundation Chairman.

The building of curved stainless steel and concrete, incorporates a new urban sculpture square linking to a waterfront walkway. The 3000m building engages with the urban square via a light reflecting and transmitting facade. This transfers light in a holographic effect from one place to another to successfully enliven and activate both.

Len Lye is known for his kinetic work, sculptural art powered by electricity. The building uses a sustainable energy source to practically include ESD principles in a high performance environment which is required by International touring exhibition standards. This energy system has been negotiated with the projects sponsors, a major international sustainable energy corporation.

Photography by Patrick Reynolds and Sam Harnett.


 

Patterson Associates
Auckland
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre Opens 25 Jul 2015
Len Lye Centre Opening 2015

About the
Professional

Patterson Associates Limited is one of New Zealand’s leading architecture practices, founded in 1988 by NZIA Gold Medallist architect Andrew Patterson. In 2004 Davor Popadich and Andrew Mitchell joined the firm as directors, helping shape Patterson Associates into a multi award-winning studio with an international reputation.

Our practice is recognised for our wide range of innovative work in architecture, urban design, and sustainable design. Our expertise is broad, and includes master planning, urban infrastructure design, commercial, mixed-use, civic, multi residential, and single residential homes.

We believe in creating architecture that explores the relationship between people and landscape in order to create a sense of personal belonging. Our approach to each building is a unique collaboration between our clients, their site, and us.    

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.