Manfeild Park Museum and Cultural Centre

SITUATION: Feilding is a large rural community near the Ruahine Ranges. The region consists of lush green pastures which predominantly is used for grazing stock and crop harvesting. Feilding has a population of 28,000 people and is a region working towards a more sustainable future. There are currently no museums or Cultural Centers within the region for the display of artworks, sculptures or artefacts. Manfield Park is currently undergoing future plans for development on a large piece of vacant land situated close to the local show grounds and the Manfeild Race Track which is an iconic feature of Feilding.

BRIEF: To design a Museum and Cultural Centre to reflect the natural surroundings of the Manawatu region. The design will be involved in the development of the Manfeild Park Estate which must be suitable for the community but also needs to be a place for tourists to visit.

SPECIFICATIONS: 
– Must fit within the outdoor environment
– Must be a sustainable eco-friendly design
– Must be an iconic feature in fitting with a natural design
– Must house artefacts, sculptures and paintings

Design Ideation

Design Exploration

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Environmental Design Influence

Flowing Water
Flowing Water
Rolling Mountains
Rolling Mountains
Topography Lines
Topography Lines

Design Development

The goal is to develop an exclusive and seamless customer experience that allows visitors to navigate the museum without a predetermined order or path. This approach will create an organic flow and alleviate congestion during peak times. Think of it as a meandering river that visitors can explore in any direction they choose.

This bubble diagram illustrates a museum experience designed to flow smoothly for visitors, with exhibitions grouped into open and spacious layouts that allow for easy movement. The restaurant and cafe are conveniently separate, and the classroom areas can double as event spaces. Service areas are oriented northward for natural heating and light, while exhibitions are located southward to avoid damage to artifacts. Entry points are positioned to avoid inclement weather conditions. The entire museum spans around 1500 square meters and comfortably accommodates up to 300 visitors at a time.

Interior Perspectives

I developed a museum and cultural center for Manfeild Park, incorporating the natural landscape of our region into a sustainable and innovative building design. The site encompassed 22 hectares and demanded the integration of a painting gallery, local gallery, sculptural gallery, and local exhibition gallery. In my research, I analyzed a variety of breathable skins and claddings to produce a facility that is both architecturally inspiring and maintains comfortable conditions throughout the year.