New Zealand's Otago Museum undergoing final stage of science-focused redevelopment
The Otago Museum in Dunedin, New Zealand, has announced the closure of its Discovery World Tropical Forest to allow work to begin on the second stage of the attraction’s NZ$4m (US$2.9m, €2.6m, £2.3m) redevelopment.
Costing NZ$2.5m (US$1.8m, €1.6m, £1.4m), phase two will include the installation of 50 interactive science exhibits and a revamped Tropical Forest butterfly house.
The Otago Community Trust has shown its support for the development, granting NZ$500,000 (US$364,000, €321,000, £282,000) towards costs.
“This interactive, multicultural facility will offer amazing hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity about our world, and lifelong learning,” said the Community Trust’s chief executive, Barbara Bridger. “It will certainly be something special for Otago.”
The Lion Foundation has also part-funded the project, donating NZ$100,000 (US$73,0000, €64,000, £56,000) for a 6m-high (19.7ft) double helix-inspired slide.
“The slide will become one of the most recognised symbols of the new centre,” said a statement from the museum. “Not only will it create a striking visual element, but it will challenge people with feelings of fear, expectation, achievement, accomplishment and success.”
Exhibition design form Story Inc are listed as original concept developers for the expansion, while Gibson Group are handling design development. Otago Museum and the Logic Group make up the project management team and Millers Creative Design are lead contractors.
Tropical Forest will close on 24 July, remaining shut until it reopens in December. The relaunched science centre will also incorporate the digitally interactive Beautiful Science Gallery and Perpetual Guardian Planetarium, with those additions completed in 2015 during the project's first phase. The redeveloped centre will also be given a new name to be revealed at a later date.
Otago Museum Dunedin New Zealand Science Centre Science Museum Museum visitor attractions Discovery World Tropical ForestUAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Tom Walker exploresthe storybehind TottenhamHotspur’sgroundbreakingnew footballstadium