New awakenings

Kairangi Ama was born in the Cook Islands. Her family moved to New Zealand when she was young and, today, Ama is an interior designer at global architecture practice Woods Bagot’s Auckland studio. With experience in retail, hospitality, residential and commercial, Ama is currently working on the 21-storey, mixed-use Symphony Centre, an over-station development in downtown Auckland.

Ama’s first artwork features Laminam Luna White as a backdrop with a Tom Dixon Puck cocktail glass from Simon James on a Laminam Marble Gold surface. Image: Toaki Okano

I’ve always had a passion for design and enjoy the art of storytelling through my work. I come from a culture that is inherently creative and we share this in many forms, be that dance, tattoos or art.

In my work, I look to create unique and thought-provoking spaces and experiences for our clients, with a design approach that marries sensitivity and methodical detailing. The projects I work on often seek to assimilate cultural narratives in spaces where there is a collision of diverse audiences.

In this collab with Laminex, I’m telling two very different stories: one of what appears, at first glance, to be celebration but is tinged with disappointment, as indicated by the dried and wilting foliage; the other, of rebirth and the future, although from what seems to be a dark place.

I’m drawn to using natural elements in my projects and contrasting them with man-made materials. In the first image, we see contrast between the lighter tones of the Laminam Luna White and the glass, and the warm tones running through the beautiful veining of the Laminam Marble Gold and echoed in the cocktail and the foliage.

Below, the darker tones of the sand, driftwood and smoke reflect the movement and texture of the Laminam Planet Brown. The bright, brass egg is introduced by way of contrast to represent a rebirth from the fire.

Ama’s second artwork is set against a Laminam Planet Brown backdrop, with a Fourth Street brass egg paperweight from Simon James. Image: Toaki Okano

It’s in this juxtaposition that we discover the essence of storytelling through design. Within the convergence of these elements lies the ability to stir a multitude of emotions. The images are not two isolated narratives but chapters in the same story, reminding us that life’s most compelling tales are often woven from the same threads.

^{Art direction by Thomas Cannings, Photography Toaki Okano}

For more inspiration visit Laminex and see the entire range.

Left Laminam Luna White; left Laminam Marble Gold. Image: Laminex

This content has been created with support from Laminex. ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to create and/or source appropriate content for this website and Architecture NZ magazine.

If your brand or clients are interested in similar creative content email mark.lipman@agm.co.nz to enquire.