The Mahara Gallery, located in Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast, is the district’s public art gallery. The Mahara Gallery Upgrade project is a significant redevelopment initiative aimed at transforming the gallery into a modern, accessible, and nationally recognized cultural facility.
The upgrade includes the construction of new exhibition spaces, improved climate control systems to host national and international touring exhibitions, enhanced accessibility, and expanded storage areas for the gallery’s permanent collection—including the prestigious Field Collection of works by Frances Hodgkins.
This project is a collaborative effort between the Kāpiti Coast District Council, the Mahara Gallery Trust, and the local community. It reflects a strong commitment to arts, culture, and heritage in the region, supporting both local artists and wider public engagement with visual arts.
The newly upgraded gallery will serve as a vibrant cultural hub for Kāpiti and a key destination for visitors to the region.
Design Engineers Ltd was engaged to provide specialist facade engineering services for the Mahara Gallery Upgrade project. Our primary responsibility was to deliver a fully compliant PS1 package for the exterior glazing and cladding systems, ensuring the building envelope met structural, weatherproofing, and aesthetic requirements.
We conducted detailed structural assessments, including wind load calculations and joinery system verification, with a strong focus on durability and performance suited to the coastal environment. Our team also addressed the integration of seismic movement joints and barrier glazing, contributing to the building’s safety and resilience.
Through close coordination with the architectural and construction teams, Design Engineers Ltd helped deliver a facade solution that balances heritage sensitivity with modern performance standards—supporting the transformation of Mahara Gallery into a vibrant, future-ready cultural facility.