national portrait gallery, canberra

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


We approached from the National Gallery.

Here is the pale, low building of the National Portrait Gallery (NGA).


The approach has a classic, monumental character.

It needs softening – perhaps the plantings will help when they are bigger.


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.


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.


The NPG café terrace overlooks the green vista. That looks like a nice place to hang out.


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.


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.


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!


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.



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.



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.



9. Quiet activity

• Good acoustic design of the

foyer ceiling minimises

unwanted noise in this large

space.


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.

national portrait gallery, canberra

Design

national gallery

glass building

foyer light feature

savanna places buildings

light corridors

movement light

lots of natural light

abundant natural light