$9.9m needed for museum

A fundraising target of $9.9M in four years has been set for the new Lyttelton Museum.

The target figure includes the cost of the build construction, museum fit-out, display design and installation, professional fees, and one year of operating costs. Construction could commence once 50% of the cost of the build has been raised.

The site for the new museum, at 33/35 London Street, next to the Lyttelton Library, was gifted to the museum project by the Christchurch City Council, and the concept design (pictured) is from Warren and Mahoney Architects.

Those involved with the project envision the museum as a place that will return Lyttelton’s stories to the heart of the port town, a place to actively share, celebrate, and preserve, its taonga and stories, for the benefit of the community and its visitors.

A mixture of permanent exhibits, and spaces that are flexible, are planned so the building can adapt to future exhibitions and community use. Six major themes – Mana Whenua, Antarctica, Colonial Canterbury, Maritime, Lyttelton Local, and Lyttelton by Nature – will be woven throughout the museum.

On a practical level, the building will be able to look after the museum’s collection to professional standards, and be as sustainable as practically possible within the budget. Priorities include being low cost to operate, energy efficient, long-lasting, low maintenance and healthy materials and use of passive environmental controls where possible.