At first glance, the $28 million Viaduct Events Centre appears visually odd. Sited on the Halsey Street Wharf extension within Auckland’s reclaimed Viaduct Harbour, its clinical machine-like steel structure holds enormous panes of glass, which contrasts against a wavy roof form of barrel rolls. And yet, there is logic in the design, which makes sense.

Moller Architects was commissioned by the previous Auckland City Council to design this 6,000m2 centre for hosting fashion shows, boat shows, art exhibitions, corporate and community events, and waterfront activity, all in time to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.

This allows for large-scale access and inside/outside space for major events. A surrounding deck on three sides of the building provides dramatic views and links into many of the internal spaces, including seminar and meeting rooms in the southern zone. A grand central stair and escalators connect all levels, so the building can be logically used for one major event or for various events simultaneously, maintaining privacy between the areas.

Crucially, the architecture responds appropriately to the logistics of running events, including the staging, rigging and electrical elements. The ‘pack in and pack out’ period before and after an event is crucial to meet production schedules and budgets, so the architects liaised with the event organisers and related industries to fully understand their requirements.

One hundred-metre-long openings feature on the eastern side of the building, providing sufficient access for boats, cars or large artworks to be driven inside the building on cradle-carriers or big trucks. A full-size car lift accesses all three levels and services kitchens for the food and beverage facilities, as well as the exhibition spaces. The glazed pavilion can also be completely blacked out for fashion shows etc.

The logic behind the Centre’s statement roof is that its clear-span structure provides column-free flexible spaces inside the building, and its barrel roll diagrid of tubular steel set in a lattice grid is also extremely strong. The perimeter of the site provides public use, with the western side used as a berth for fishing boats. A public observation deck at the eastern end offers views across the harbour.

Yet again, Marshall Day has worked its magic on the acoustics, enhancing the envelope to appropriate sound attenuation levels. And, to top off the building’s lengthy list of ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ features, it has a 5-Star Green rating, incorporating natural ventilation, seawater cooling and a low energy environmental system.