Museums, like many other public buildings, are subject to a fair amount of wear and tear – and the greater the visitor numbers, the greater the wear.

To help minimise maintenance costs for the new Grand Atrium building in the landmark Auckland War Memorial Museum, a number of highly durable materials and finishes were specified. These include Resene Lumbersider satin acrylic, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel, Resene Lusta-Glo semi-gloss enamel, and Resene Aquapel water-repellent paint, which covers the bare concrete surfaces on the interior.

Resene marketing manager Karen Warman says the careful paint and colour selection also ensured a natural transition between the original 1929 heritage architecture and the highly distinctive contemporary renovation.

Colours chosen to complement the architecture and material palette include the neutral hues of Resene Blanc and Resene Half Blanc, Resene Half Tea, and a custom colour aptly named Museum Beige.

Warman says Resene Aquapel is a clear water-repellent treatment formulated to help control efflorescence, and to provide a long-term, water beading effect to deter water penetration.

"This product is an ideal clear finish for concrete as it maintains its natural appearance while still providing protection against the elements."