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Photos and description of this new art gallery.
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Canberra, Australiawww.portrait.gov.au
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
2 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The National Portrait Gallery moved into its new building by the lake in Canberra in December 2008.
I visited in January 2009 and here are my first thoughts.
Gillian Savage, Environmetrics www.environmetrics.com.au
3 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
We approached from the National Gallery.
Here is the pale, low building of the National Portrait Gallery (NGA).
4 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The approach has a classic, monumental character.
It needs softening – perhaps the plantings will help when they are bigger.
5 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
We enjoy this green vista as we walk along the wide paving towards the entrance.
The building is set in acres of green space in the formal setting of the Parliamentary Triangle.
The closest buildings are the High Court and the National Gallery.
6 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
Getting closer.
Even on this hot day, there are plenty of people about. This is probably because the Degas exhibition at the NGA has attracted visitors to the area.
7 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The NPG café terrace overlooks the green vista. That looks like a nice place to hang out.
8 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
Now the entrance appears, and there’s an “Ah, Ha” moment as the space opens before us.
I really like the long sight lines through the building. Very inviting.
The natural timber in the ceiling panels adds warmth.
9 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The solid timber doors are surprising in a contemporary stone and glass building.
Two sets of doors create an airlock without constraining visitors.
We can flow through the doors quite freely.
10 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The foyer is another “Ah-ha”. It is simply beautiful.
Lots of natural light, pale marble, interesting lighting, and a security man who is more like a concierge.
Welcome to the 21st century!
11 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
Here is another view of the foyer looking back to the entrance doors.
The proportions and detailing are lovely.
This space will work well for a variety of uses.
12 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
It is such a lovely space, surely they will need more lounges?
See the long panel of glass that brings natural light? I wonder what it will cost to heat/cool?
The strong horizontal lines bring a sense of calm.
13 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
I enjoy the detailing of the roof where the natural timbers bring welcome warmth to this very modern space.
They probably help the acoustics too.
14 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
The NPG is designed as a set of pavilions separated by glassed ‘corridors’ that allow natural light and outside views.
It is a light and airy building with good proportions.
Situated close to the National Gallery, I am sure it will invite visitor movement through the formal lakeside space.
15 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
Humans thrive in savanna places
• Buildings are habitats for humans
and humans evolved in particular
settings. It follows that humans
are designed to function better in
buildings that conform with key
characteristics of the
environments they evolved in.
Mountain :: Desert :: Cave :: Forest :: Coast
• Our evolutionary heritage is a
foundation for health, performance
and well-being.
• The evolutionary habitat of
humans is the savanna. While
humans can SURVIVE in many
environments, they THRIVE in
savanna-like places.
16 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
8 features of savanna places
1. Visual access and enclosure
• NPG has a mix of open
spaces and more enclosed
areas.
2. Horizontal lines
• The external building has
strong horizontal lines.
• Inside, the foyer and ‘light
corridors’ also have strong
horizontal lines.
17 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
NPG – a savanna place
3. Long sight lines
• Glass doors and panels
provide long sight lines.
4. Tree like forms
• Overhead canopy gives sense
of protection.
• The foyer light feature creates
a canopy over seating.
18 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
NPG – a savanna place
5. Multiple retreats
• The separate pavilions
provide a variety of spaces
of different sizes.
• The café and shop are
visible and provide retreats
from the open space of the
foyer. It is clear that there
are several places to
go/explore.
6. Daylight
• Glass panels in the foyer and
galleries give abundant natural
light.
19 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
NPG – a savanna place
7. Moderate pattern complexity
• The detailing of floors, walls
and doors provides interest
without overwhelming with
busy-ness.
8. Movement
• Light and shadow from sky
effects and the movements of
people provide changing
interest.
20 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
NPG – a savanna place
9. Quiet activity
• Good acoustic design of the
foyer ceiling minimises
unwanted noise in this large
space.
21 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, Australia
NPG – a savanna success
• The new National Portrait Gallery
has many of the design elements
that follow the principles of
evolutionary biology to create
spaces where people can thrive.