Interior Awards 2022, Supreme and Civic Award Winner

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The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae's wharenui. — The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui. Image: Russell Kleyn

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The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae's wharenui facing the back wall. — The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui facing the back wall. Image: Russell Kleyn

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Te Rau Karamu wharenui in use. Image: Supplied, varied

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A detail of the finely carved totara poupou inside Te Rau Karamu wharenui. Eight of these poupou become doorways opening out to Nga Kuratinitini o Te Ao courtyard. Image: Russell Kleyn

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The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae's wharenui with central ceremonial pit. — The interior of Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui with central ceremonial pit. Image: Russell Kleyn

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The tukutuku of the lower half of the inside front wall of the wharenui features an acoustic panel with finely machined slots surface-etching, with patterns lashed through during three community wānanga. Image: Stuart Foster

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Digital embroidery of Te Wairere by Te Kāhui Toi in progress with finished result to right. Image: Stuart Foster

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The front interior wall of the wharenui showing the digital weaving and embroidery at the top and hand-sewn patterning of the tukutuku walls at bottom. Image: Russell Kleyn

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View looking up at the weaving and embroidery on the front inside wall of the wharenui. The woven patterns of Te Wairere represent intangible elements of Te Ao Mārama. Image: Russell Kleyn

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Approach to Te Rau Karamu marae's wharenui. — Approach to Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui. Image: Andy Spain

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Side view of Te Rau Karamu marae's wharenui, showing the eight poupou opening up as doorways out to Nga Kuratinitini o Te Ao courtyard. — Side view of Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui, showing the eight poupou opening up as doorways out to Nga Kuratinitini o Te Ao courtyard. Image: Russell Kleyn

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Te Rau Karamu marae's atea. — Te Rau Karamu marae’s atea. Image: Andy Spain

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Close-up of Te Rau Karamu marae's atea. — Close-up of Te Rau Karamu marae’s atea. Image: Supplied, varied

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Aerial view of Te Rau Karamu marae, Massey University by Te Kahui Toi and Athfield Architects. Image: Supplied, varied

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Congratulations to this year's Supreme Award winner (Civic category) - Te Rau Karamu Marae, Massey University by Te Kāhoi Toi and Athfield Architects.

The jury’s comment:

“Te Rau Karamu Marae is the architectural and cultural embodiment of mana, commanding in presence in the central city of Pōneke Wellington. An incredible offering to students, whānau and the wider hapori, this whare gives rise to the modern world of architecture while still portraying and acknowledging its unwavering foundations in te ao Māori. Embracing modern technology in its form and materiality and, at the same time, staying steadfast to tikanga, this project is an exemplar of what the pinnacle of civic buildings needs to deliver in Aotearoa in 2022 and beyond. It is a story of community and collaboration, and a layering of art, architecture, culture, history and heart. From the physical connection of Te Rua below to Te Rakau Tipua (The Cosmic Tree) and the star constellations above, te ao Maori narratives are embedded throughout the space and its highly crafted detailing. Full credit to the design team and all the whānau behind the scenes who were involved in the creation of this magnificent project.”

Te Rau Karamu wharenui in use. Image: Supplied, varied

PROJECT DETAILS:

Location: Wellington

Client: Massey University Wellington

Building area (m²): 175m² GFA: Te Whaioranga o Te Whaio wharenui 207m²; GFA: Te Whaioranga o Te Taiao wharekai 900m²; GFA: Te Rau Karamu atea and associated landscape.

Project brief: The brief was to create a new marae central to the campus to welcome students and guests, host wānanga, uphold the mana of tangata whenua, and further Massey’s aspiration to be a Tiriti-led university.

Approach to Te Rau Karamu marae’s wharenui. Image: Andy Spain

“The spatial approach was to integrate the matauranga held within, and support learning, creativity and wellbeing. Within Te Whaioranga o Te Whaio interior, timber elements are clearly articulated to support and form an integral part of the spatial narrative, representing Te Rakau Tipua — The cosmic tree. The ridge pole and rafters, representing the trunk and branches, are supported by the central poutokomanawa and totara poupou wall panels. Eight of these poupou become doorways opening out to Nga Kuratinitini o Te Ao courtyard. Skylights and glass louvre apertures refract the changing light to create calm but lively dappled light effects enhancing the feeling of being within a forest glade.” - Ari Stevens

Credits:

Design - Te Kāhui Toi and Athfield Architects
Te Kāhui Toi artist-designers - Ngataiharuru Taepa, Kura Puke, Hemi Macgregor, Saffronn Te Ratana, Stuart Foster, Wi Taepa, Israel Birch, Robert Jahnke, Maihi Potaka, and Te Kahui Toi whanau whanui.
Ross Hemera - Artist-designer, Massey University
Athfield Architects team - John Hardwick Smith, Nick Mouat, Ari Stevens, Chris Winwood, Miriam Barnett, Kim Salt

Watch the finalist’s presentation here: