8 | Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Ao Mārama Campus: Aoraki Construction T T Bernadette Cooney New campus ‘a world of light’ Materials and colours throughout the building reflect the local environment. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A new era of learning has dawned at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Te Ao Mārama Campus in Porirua following the redevelopment project that has transformed a tired 1970s’ brutalist structure into a vibrant, culturally enriched hub of education and community. The former Todd Motors cafeteria building in Elsdon has been transformed into a vibrant, purpose-driven campus that reflects the heart of the mission and vision of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Led by APG Architects and constructed by Aoraki Construction, this project is more than a renovation, it is a restoration of mauri (life force) and a celebration of tikanga Māori. Guided by the vision of ‘Whānau transformation through education’, the new campus is designed to be a nurturing space where tauira, their whānau and the wider community can thrive. Every element of the design supports their mission of ‘Tauira Success’, creating an environment that fosters personal growth, cultural identity and lifelong learning. “We were restoring its mauri and reimagining it as a place where knowledge and community can thrive,” says Ces Scott, founding director of APG Architects. “Our response was to embrace the solid concrete skeleton of the original building, integrating new steel forms and light-filled voids to soften its rigidity.” The redevelopment included full structural, roofing and interior upgrades. The once leaky facility is now re-roofed, insulated and reglazed. A new façade and spatial layout were developed in close consultation with mana whenua, with the eastern-facing entrance overlooking Porirua Harbour serving as a space to honour and display taonga. A striking feature of the new design is the use of perforated steel panels throughout the building – from the waharoa side panels to internal screens and balustrades, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow that reflects the campus name, Te Ao Mārama (the world of light). The heart of the campus is the main lobby, designed as a gallery space for six towering pou carved by master carver Hone Heke, a former carving tutor in the 1990s. “It’s where social energy flows between reception, cafeteria, library, and the noho (living) space,” says Camila Renault, project architect at APG. Materials and colours throughout the building reflect the local environment – the forest greens of Rangituhi in classrooms, the earthy tones of Kenepuru in staff areas, and the blues and greys of Te Awarua-o-Porirua in public zones. Charlotte Turia, head of operations for Te Kei takiwā, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, praised the collaborative effort involving up to 80 contractors at its peak for their hard work, commitment and dedication to the project, and the care shown to the whare during construction. WE'RE ABOUT PLACES FOR PEOPLE Exceeding expectation through every bespoke design A strong partnership with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Aoraki Construction. Stace Diamond 021 222 5514 | Simon Miller 021 855 109 office@advancedsiteworks.co.nz | www.advancedsiteworks.co.nz Specialising in Excavation, Siteworks, Demolition & Internal strip out work. Bring New Life to Your Office and Home Because they deserve beautiful flooring. Proudly Supporting TWOA Project: Aoraki Construction wellingfloorlimited.co.nz
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