The original concept for the Museum was designed by fjcstudio in association with Evatt Martin Architects and DesignTribe. Architectus was engaged following the appointment of design and build contractor Naylor Love.

“Conceptually, Te Unua consists of a rectilinear volume divided into three elements and arranged on an east-west axis,” says project architect Kelly Clark. “A diagonal axis acknowledges the Tākitumu ranges to the north-west and Ruapuke Island to the south-east.”

The design of the building was developed in collaboration with mana whenua to ensure that mātauranga Kāi Tahu is intrinsically integrated in the concept. The form of Te Unua, the double hulled waka, is prominently represented in the open, glazed foyer space, which sits between the two distinct forms of the Exhibition Hall and the Pavilion building.

“The sacred waka Tākitumu brought settlers to Aotearoa, and Ruapuke Island is one of three locations where Kāi Tahu signed the Treaty of Waitangi,” explains DesignTribe’s Rau Hoskins. “The transparent central link element references the creation story of Te Ara-a-Kiwa (The Path of Kiwa/Foveaux Strait), whereby the isthmus connecting Murihiku and Rakiura was chewed through by a whale named Kewa.”

The 1400m² Exhibition Hall includes flexible spaces for temporary and touring shows and a permanent immersive experience installation sharing the story of Southland, while the eastern Pavilion accommodates reception and retail functions and a north-facing café opening onto the gardens. An upper level features an education space and community rooftop terrace, with an external stair connecting it to ground level.

Museum Director Eloise Wallace says the project, due to open in 2027, is on track to be the first museum in Aotearoa to achieve 4 Star Greenstar certification.