| 77 Art Centre project very special Sue Russell The Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei, opened in February, is a fantastic asset for the city says HB Architecture’s Grant Harris. NZGBC: Harris Butt Architecture BUILDING Registered Architect Grant Harris has been in the business of designing all manner of buildings all his working life. Based in Whangarei, Grant leads a small team of architectural professionals out of his practice HB Architecture. Having worked many years in a much larger design company Grant says, he’s happy with the size of the business now and the engaging projects the team take on. “I think our size is really good. It works for me well and if we were to grow much larger I would lose a direct connection to some of the work we do and I don’t want that to happen.” Associate and Senior Technician Kerry Reyburn has been with the practice since its establishment and the balance of the team come with a range of professional qualifications and experiences. Anchoring administration is Dianne Harris. And being well established with a solid reputation means that over the years the types of projects Grant and the team take on are really lovely, challenging and interesting ones. “We’re currently working, for instance, on a small single bedroom house with a separate garage and studio unit a short distance away on the same site. The client really wanted to push the concept of enclosure. The home is enclosed with two walls at either end and all you have really is a roof and a floor.” The Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairou Māori Art Gallery for contemporary Māori art was another wonderful project HB Architecture were involved in. From original sketches drawn by Hundertwasser, refined into concept drawing by Springman Architektur, HB Architecture produced 300 +/- drawings used to agree the concept and inform the construction process. Opened February of this year, Grant says the project is a fantastic asset for the city. “There was a lot of pressure from all angles when we were engaged on the project; a difficult project for lots of reasons. And from the volunteers who committed thousands of hours to its success, the expressions of joy, wonder, relief when it finally opened made the project very special.” Grant recalls that when he started his architecture learning at University in 1974, Hundertwasser was in New Zealand and had an exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery. That connection for Grant is meaningful. Another rather special project for the team is the redevelopment of the Stand Tū Māia Village in Whangarei. Stand Tū Māia is a charity that provides an intensive wraparound social service response through it’s Stand for Children service for children aged 5 to 12 and their families. “This is such a worthwhile project and we’re delighted to be involved in designing a purpose-built village where at need children and their families can receive real care.” Grant says to help inform their thinking on the villages buildings designs visits have been made to Stand Tū Māia villages in Christchurch and Gisborne to get a feel and discuss with staff how they feel the spaces need to work. The mixed use building contains admin, teaching and therapy rooms and there are two houses on site for the children along with a separate dining room, with full kitchen facilities and gymnasium. Another major project is currently in planning phase. HB Architecture is working with Scope Project Management these past four years on the Oruku Convention Centre a much-needed public amenity to serve Whangarei and the region. “Whangarei doesn’t have any large public convention facility and though the start date for construction hasn’t been finalised, it’s going to be a wonderful regional resource. We’re really pleased to be involved in a project of this significance. ”Guiding Grant’s approach to design is an innate understanding of ‘green building’ and the values that designing sustainably bring. HB Architecture is a member of the New Zealand Green Building Council and supports its aspirations and ideals as these apply to the art and science of Architecture. Providing innovative engineering solutions to Northland and beyond for over 60 years. 09 438 3273 of ce@RSEng.co.nz www.RSEng.co.nz 2 Seaview Rd, Whangarei 0110 Mansfield House, 127 Bank St, Whangarei 09 430 3072 info@scopeprojectsnz.com www.scopeprojectsnz.com NEW ZEALAND COMMERCIAL PROJECT AWARDS GOLD AWARD 2022 NEW ZEALAND COMMERCIAL PROJECT AWARDS SPECIAL AWARD 2022 Your Total Project Partners: from feasibility studies to maintenance plans, we handle every detail of a project. Proud to work alongside HB Architecture, to support numerous projects from early inception to completion and beyond.
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