KORU

KORU plans to be West Coast, New Zealand’s premier visual arts and environment institution and one of four most visited galleries in New Zealand. The Centre will be embraced by audiences as an inclusive and inspiring space for creativity, diversity, environmental education and culture.

This plan, presented by Rimu Foundation, outlines KORU’s strategic focus for the first five years of operations.

The development and presentation of blockbuster and major exhibitions is pivotal to this period. The government’s support through investment will enhance the West Coast’s reputation as an outstanding tourist destination.

The Concept

Building

Function

The building is designed to be flexible, adaptable and expandable. The key features include a connected and flexible gallery, restaurant, library café and an educational/multifunctional room. This will be achieved through cavity sliding walls.

Each space however naturally maintains its’ visual and acoustic privacy.

 

Orientation

The building is designed to take advantage of the site. Orientating the building to maximise sun and prevailing winds was an important design element.

Large areas of window at both high and low levels on the northern façade maximise solar access, breeze and views.

Energy

The main building and other sites will be powered by solar and micro- hydro generated onsite with the help of Tesla battery banks.

 

Water

The roof runoff is directed into four 250,000L rainwater tanks.

Water is filtered by 1st flush diversions and a two-stage cartridge filter system with a final UV filter.

The stormwater runoff and overflow are directed towards a bioretention pond working in combination with bioswales.

The landscape channels excessive rainfall via overland flow paths to the bioretention pond to remove nutrients and heavy metals.

The treated water will be channelled back into the building to sustain the water usage of the conservatory, toilets and other applicable areas.

 

The Space

KORU includes an interactive nature art gallery + permanent exhibit, an educational/multifunctional room, restaurant, conservatory, retail gallery, pottery studio, kid’s gallery and library + café.

The heart of this project would be KORU, and the veins include the art & garden trail, the shed, food forest, kids’ garden and kitchen, plant nursery, forest walking trail, forest amphitheatre, 4 x art residency studio and accommodation pods, as well as a native fishpond, endangered native insect and animal breeding hub.

Spaces

KORU

Ecology and Arts Gallery

The gallery serves as an abode of imagination, interaction and inspiration and helps us reconnect and understand the wonderful design of nature. The experience is to dissolve all boundaries between us and nature while interweaving ourselves into the true fabric of existence. The gallery will also house a permanent collection of artworks and natural specimens that are acquired or gifted to the gallery.

NEST

Library + Café

The NEST is a snug minimalist realm offering a large variety of books on ecology, sustainable building, gardening, plants, landscape architecture, permaculture, biodynamic farming, green houses, flowers, renewables and much more. NEST also offers a retail section consisting of books, coffees, pastries and cakes.

 

NUKA

Retail Gallery + Online Shop

The retail space offers art, the NUKA range of eco-personal care products, as well as other locally made eco products. The gallery provides a retail avenue for local theme specific and unique West Coast painters, potters, photographers, sculptors, jewellers and organic farmers. A supporting retail platform would also be provided for resident artists, emerging regional artists and social entrepreneurs.

HABITAT

Conservatory

The conservatory will be the home of some threatened and endangered plant species of the cool temperate forests around the world. This will also be the nurturing grounds of some National collections.

SAGE 

Vegan Restaurant

A lush fine dining space that is affordable and accessible to everyone. Experience a delicious meal from our artistic paddock to plate menu, an extensive local wine list all in an exuberant natural setting. Fifty percent of our fruits and vegetables on our menu will be grown onsite. Every other raw ingredient will be sourced locally within the West Coast region supporting local farmers.

GROW TOO

Kids Gallery

This space features artworks from children from the age of 4 – 16. The artworks will be selected through a nationwide art competition held twice a year.

SPACE

Educational + Multifunctional Room

Designed as a multifunctional room, it will serve as the main education room, however it can be adapted to accommodate a performing arts or yoga workshop studio. If the need arises this room can open to accommodate the adjoining restaurant, catering for weddings, corporate dinners and parties.

CLAY PLAY

Pottery Studio

The pottery studio is an interactive space that will allow resident artists to hold workshops and showcase their work. 

SENSES

Art and Garden Trail

The art and garden trail consists of unique sculptures and installations inspired by our natural world. The trial created to invoke a profound understanding, appreciation, care, connection and inspiration within the audience and our natural environment. The gardens are designed for our immersion into nature through the interflow of our five senses. It will hold over 500 varieties of plants.

THE SHED

Training Shed

Inspired by the traditional work shed, this large shed is the capacity building hub for practical and technical skills, as well as support and community to members of the community who may be disadvantaged or isolated. On certain days of the week, it will be open to the pensioners who are eager to be creative. Programs include carving, welding, wood turning, sewing, landscaping and permaculture.

THE PODS

Art Residency Studio and Accommodation

This program supports young emerging local and international artists, providing opportunity to live and work in a tranquil native forest environment over the winter months, as well as time to reflect, research and produce work. The works would be later exhibited on-site.

VIBRATE

Forest Amphitheatre

An intimate space where a small number of people can gather for a journey of soulful music, poetry and performing arts.

THE FOOD FOREST

Permaculture Food Source

The food forest will mimic the forest edge and will feature edible plants. These will consist of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and ground covers. The farm aspect will consist of chickens and ducks. The food forest will include an apiary, where native and honey bees help pollinate and produce Manuka honey.

ROHA

Plant Nursery

Here we will nurture our little native seeds, heirloom vegetable seeds and seedlings into growth.

GROW

Nature School + Garden

A project for the little ones. Learning about their environment, gardening and food production. Gardens where seeds are sowed by children, cared for, harvested and used by them for their food projects. The children will be assisted by our experienced teachers.

Roadmap 

Business Essentials

  • Comprehensive business plan
  • Risk management plan
  • Capital reinvestment plan – Investment ready
  • Full regulatory compliance

Digital Marketing

  • Active website
  • Mobile enabled website – SEO strategy
  • Real-time and third-party bookings -Analytics – switched on – Google My Business

Social Media

  • Quality content
  • Booking links
  • Sponsored content

General Distribution

  • Trade famils
  • Engage with distribution partners
  • Marketing plan established
  • Attend domestic trade events

Quality & Excellence

  • NZ tourism awards
  • Achieve a Global Review Index (GRI) of 85%
  • Qualmark accreditation

Export Ready

  • Provide an experience
    that is unique
  • Operate 365 days
  • Attend international trade shows
  • Pricing to accommodate distribution