The Ecological Touchstones of Our Identity

-80Thus Te Papa, in its struggle to remain relevant and important to New Zealand’s identity, becomes more than a simple issue of architecture. It starts to function as a continuation of form, a connection of spaces, and a conveyance of multiple ideas.

It is not a case of identifying the problem (lack of identity) and creating a solution. To do so would be foolish, short sighted, and would ignore the basic principles of the systems that formulate and hone the way in which cultural society manifests itself into a concept of ‘self ’ - a concept of national identity. Systems such as these are forever in a state of flux, in negotiation with themselves and their surrounding influences.

By analysing Te Papa in terms of these surrounding influences such as the urban structures and physical elements which form the urban ecosystem which Te Papa sits within, the architecture can start to respond to a fluid concept like national identity. Within the ecosystem of Wellington, Te Papa acts as a catchment for the city, while also acting as the mediator between the urban grid and the waterfront.

However, the combination of poorly considered spaces to the east, the recently developed Waitangi Park, the contrived landscape of Bush City within the walls, the intersection of the city grid and finally the seaedge puts Te Papa in the uncomfortable position of straddling many types of landscape which have not been designed to work in reference to each other. Even though Te Papa commands attention as a massive object and encroaches on each of these edges, the architecture does not seem to challenge or stand up to any of these outside influences. Instead, in line with typical black box museum design, the interior of Te Papa is viewed as a private domain with a clear intent to maintain a clearly delineated perimeter.69 This physical predicament can be seen as a direct metaphor for the fragmentation which has occurred to the majority of New Zealand’s protected pieces of native landscapes. To build this analogy, the comparison between the two sites of Lake Waiwiri and Te Papa Tongarewa becomes instrumental. Waiwiri, (as explored in the next chapter) is a fragment of past lowland forest, dislocated within a rural surrounding of farming and 69 Reid, G. (1998). ‘Museo-logic’. Architecture New Zealand, The Designing of Te Papa: Architecture New Zealand examines Te Papa’s concepts design structure. 34.