74 | Designgroup Stapleton Elliott ARCHITECTURE T T from page 73 Located within the Bowen Campus in the heart of Wellington’s parliamentary precinct, the circa 9,000m² project spans seven interconnected levels to form a new consolidated home for the organisation. Integrating emerging workplace design thinking and exploring the limits of activity-based working, spaces are arranged to provide a spectrum of collaborative settings, focused working environments, gathering spaces, and end-of-trip facilities. Overlooking Wellington’s iconic elevated State Highway artery, a central café is bedded into the centre of the building as a unified place for people to come together and recharge. The project places an emphasis on sustainable outcomes, social responsibility, and sense of place; marking a new brand expression for Waka Kotahi, shaping a bespoke Te Ao Māori narrative. Working in partnership with DGSE’s Indigenous Design Rōpū (IDR) and Waka Kotahi, a narrative was developed around Ki Uta Ki Tai – from mountains to sea. Nigel says this acknowledges the balanced natural order of ecosystems – a foundational characteristic that speaks to the essence of Waka Kotahi’s role within New Zealand. “The narrative is expressed within tactile architectural surfaces and through earthy tonal variation — gradually revealed as users transition from floor to floor. Through a focus on embedded cultural integration, innovative space planning, and challenging organisational norms, the new national premises offers a fresh, dynamic, and immersive environment for staff, partner agencies and visitors to converge.” The building was also shortlisted for the prestigious NZ Interiors Awards — Commercial Workplace over 1,000m2 category. DGSE’s brace of successful projects this year also include the NZIA Local Architecture Awards for the following regions: Auckland; TSA Auckland – Interior Architecture (Shortlisted), Waikato & Bay of Plenty; Tauranga Boys College – Education (Winner), Gisborne & Hawkes Bay; Punakerua House - Housing (in association with Crosson Architects) (Winner), Waiohiki Marae Wharenui ‘Hau Te Ananui’ – Public Architecture (Winner), Bayview House – Housing (Shortlisted), St Aubyn Village Estate – Housing — Multi Unit (Winner), and Napier War Memorial – Public Architecture (Shortlisted), Wellington; Te Kāhui Tiki Tangata - Human Rights Commission – Interior Architecture (Winner + Resene Colour Award). Complementing this year’s NZIA awards, DGSE was also successful in a number of 2024 NZ Property Council Awards in the Education, Commercial and Sustainability categories including the Supreme Award for Waiaroha (Heretauga Water Discovery Centre in Hastings) in the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards. With roots reaching back 50 years, DGSE specialises in architecture for both residential and commercial buildings, as well as interior and landscape design. They have led the design of high-profile national projects, including Rocket Lab’s Headquarters in Auckland and Los Angeles. “We operate across six studios in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Queenstown, with 135 staff nationwide. People, place, and culture are at the heart of our design processes, and it’s with a deep understanding of each that we create architecture that enriches lives,” says Nigel. The Indigenous Design Rōpū is DGSE’s in-house collective of indigenous architects and designers who ensure cultural integrity prevails in the design process, in partnership with tangata whenua and indigenous people. 0800 377 8782 | PO Box 78132, Grey Lynn, Auckland, 1245 | www.eqstruc.co.nz Structural Design - New & Existingl Seismic Assessment & Retrofit Testing - Structural & Products Structural Engineers for Commercial and Residential buildings HPM is a locally owned business and we proudly support any project that provides for the development of our wonderful country. We are passionate about construction projects, from the commencement of turning an idea into reality through to the final completion. Please contact us if you wish to discuss your project. halcyonprojectmanagement.co.nz rodney@halcyonpm.co.nz +64 21 745 870 The team at HPM wishes to thank all those involved in this inspirational project. We were proud to support the development and we look forward to assisting with future opportunities. Delivering structural engineering solutions throughout regional New Zealand. Waka Kotahi NZTA National Premises - NZIA Interior Architecture Winner 2024.
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