98 | “As a result, when you walk into the building, it feels similar to entering a whare on a marae through the integration of traditional Māori design elements ...” ARCHITECTURE GHD Design T T Ange Davidson Tradition and innovation come together Whakapapa principles are incorporated in the court room with the profiles of significant mountains in laminated rimu, matai and totara veneers on the wall behind the judges’ bench The transformation of Whangārei’s ANZ bank to house the city’s Māori Land Court has earned GHD Design not only an Interior Architecture award at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Architects event but also a Merit award at the Property Industry Awards. The design brief was an interior of the three-storey building that met the requirements of a Māori Land Court while reflecting the local narrative. As part of the design response, the team from GHD Design collaborated with local carver, sculptor and design educator, Carin Wilson from Studio Pasifika who provided valuable insights on the incorporation of Te Aranga principles into the design phase. Carin also created many of the custom-made elements that brought the concept to life. Project Director, Colette McCartney says the project’s scope included the Court’s ground floor lobby, record storage area and research facilities, as well as the courtroom located on the second floor. There was a desire for the land court to feel welcoming and calm while still respecting its mana and cultural importance. “While there were existing general principles for courthouse design, the Ministry of Justice was receptive to new ideas around how these might be reinterpreted to improve the function of the space. There was also a clear directive that Te Aranga principles should be central to the design process,” says Colette. “As a result, when you walk into the building, it feels similar to entering a whare on a marae through the integration of traditional Māori design elements, overlaid in a manner that’s both beautiful and functional. Traditional weaving patterns create a richly layered experience and key design elements are consistent throughout the building to ensure an immersive and positive experience for all users,” she says. Led by Carin Wilson, the GHD Design team engaged with local hapū to ensure a full understanding of the community’s needs and approached the mahi with Ngai Tahu Leader and Elder, Ta Tipene O’Regan’s observation that “we come from a culture of dynamic adaptation.” The whare-inspired ceiling design is an example of this dynamic adaption and is found throughout the building for a consistent visual experience. A wooden tahuhu within the hearing rooms provides a central spine that spans the length of the room and intersecting beams border an intricate pattern of wooden battens that reference similar structures in traditional Māori construction. Cross-shaped ceiling lights provide an elegant, contemporary lighting solution that adds to the design rather than interrupting it. Whakapapa principles are incorporated in the court room with the profiles of significant maunga, or mountains, in laminated Rimu, Matai and Totara veneers on the wall behind the judges’ bench to acknowledge local tribal affiliations. “Our team was awarded the design contract based on previous work for the Ministry of Justice which includes the Auckland District Court. This has been a unique project with more flexibility than a criminal court so we have been able to provide a local context through materiality and interesting features,” says Colette. As a record keeper for tangata whenua, the court has many visitors researching heritage. There is a resource room on the first floor with archival storage and a viewing area where people can park up and read. There’s a large public facing front counter and a lightfilled open plan office area for staff. From the street, the building is in keeping with Whangārei’s commercial precinct but once under the surfeits of the exterior canopy, the local narrative begins and grows as you make your way into the building. The recognition from the 2023 NZ Institute of Architects and Property Industry Awards affirm that the Whangārei Māori Land Court not only met but exceeded the original design brief and is an example of what can be achieved when tradition and innovation come together. 0800 800 656 www.inzide.co.nz Flooring: Fading Tracks Carpet Tile by Interface We are proud to have Carbon Neutral, Interface carpet tiles in the Whangārei Māori Land Court. Thank you GHD Design for choosing Inzide as your sustainable flooring solutions supplier.
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