Following a period of public controversy over the preferred location of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Octa was commissioned by the Dunedin City Council to complete a Study Report that examined four options (Gallery in the Park, in the City, part of an existing museum, or greenfields).
Octa facilitated the public consultation and Council consideration that lead to the decision to relocate to the DIC building complex in the Octagon. The existing structure consisted of five buildings with a total floor area of 11,200m² spread over four stories. Octa was engaged as the project manager to scope and then manage the design of the build. The role included an Issues and Options Study, Community Consultation, Council Facilitation, Scope and Design, and Project Management.
From an early stage in the project Octa determined the construction sequence that took account of the complexities of planning an Art Gallery within five different buildings. This task included strengthening and services as well as retaining the important elements of the buildings.
The timing for the introduction of extra scope items was closely managed, any decisions were made with consideration of the status of the current construction to avoid delays. Over $1.5m of extra scope was integrated into the project which allowed for significant quality improvements such as international standard environmental control extending to all galleries, improved lighting and security systems, pre-action sprinkler systems, fibrous plaster wall linings and an upgrade to internal building finishes.
Demolition work was only required for the Octagon facing building to provide space for the three storey atrium, extensive reuse of existing spaces were made to provide a variety of display areas.
The project was successfully delivered in 1996.
