Te Tahuhuroa o Ihenga

This building was the result of a design competition. The shape of the building concept is based on the ancestral shark – Te Arawa. The building draws on this concept and demonstrates it as being a protector of Maori Taunga, Te Wananga and all of the races who will create the New Zealand of the future. The main spine (tahuhu) visually and physically links the building with the adjacent marae.

Inside references to the colours within the adjacent marae were used, with a contemporary edge. The campus uses standard off-white colour, Resene Soapstone, throughout as a base with Resene Teal Blue in the hallway, Resene Double Gravel on the doors and frames and Resene Ceiling White on the ceiling. A large component of the building uses engineered timber which was expressed visually and clear finished in Resene Aquaclear for ongoing protection.

Exterior concrete block is finished in Resene Aquapel water repellent and Resene X-200 low sheen weathertight membrane complementing the stained timber.

Architectural specifier: APR Architects Ltd
Building contractor: Baycom construction
Client: Waiariki Institute of Technology
Interior designer: Jacqui Heaton
Painting contractor: Baycom Construction
Photographer: Courtesy of Jacobsens Flooring
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2013

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