Spatial

Jasmax 85 Architectus designTRIBE The Pā, University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato

2024 Private, Public and Institutional Spaces
Credits
  • Pou Auaha / Creative Director
    Patrick Clifford – Architectus
  • Pou Rautaki / Strategic Leads
    Neil Quigley – University of Waikato, Alister Jones – University of Waikato, Tony Kavanagh – University of Waikato, Sally Davies – University of Waikato, Joseph Macfarlane – University of Waikato
  • Pou Taketake / Cultural Leads
    Rau Hoskins - designTRIBE, Taki Turner, Tom Roa, Te Kahautu Maxwell, Pou Temara, Sandy Morrison, Shirley Tuteao, Pat Gage, Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Whetū Taukamo, Haki Tuaupiki
  • Ringatoi Matua / Design Directors
    James Mooney - Architectus, Stephen Middleton - Jasmax, Paul Lelieveld - Project Architect for Jasmax
  • Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
    Jeremy Purcell - Architectus, Kitty Fan - Architectus, Amelia Fagence - Architectus, Carmen Fu - Architectus, Chirag Jindal - Architectus, Claire Brunelat - Architectus, Elizabeth Seuseu - Architectus, Hannah Diack - Architectus, Hermann Matamu - Architectus, John Baker - Architectus, Lauren Speer - Architectus, Lu Cheng - Architectus, Lucy Vete - Architectus, Maggie Xu - Architectus, Michael Thomson - Architectus, Sara Nazem - Architectus, Tom Johnson - Architectus, William Anderson - Architectus, William Brooks - Architectus, Andrew Grant - Jasmax, Vincent Kumar - Jasmax, Marianne Riley - Jasmax, Claire O’Shaughnessy - Jasmax, Adam Jepson - Jasmax, Erinna Wong - Jasmax, Icao Tiseli - Jasmax, Kahu Eruera - Jasmax, Kathryn Roberts - Jasmax, Kimmy Deng - Jasmax, Lukas Havlicek - Jasmax, Richard Harris (previously Jasmax), Neil Martin (previously Jasmax), Aaron Troy (previously Jasmax), Abby Morgan (previously Jasmax), Jessica Mount (previously Jasmax), Luke Szokalski (previously Jasmax), Azza Ho (previously Jasmax)
  • Kaitautoko / Contributors
    Renata Te Wiata, Te Puhi Ariki Nga wai hono i te po Paki, James Schuster (ONZM), Cathy Schuster, Wraight + Associates (Landscape Architect alongside Jasmax)
  • Client
    University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Judge's comments:

Te Pā is a timeless project that beautifully blends traditional Māori architecture with modern design. The project has delivered a flawlessly executed design that is the epitome of a modern whare wānanga (place of high learning), a whare and environment that will enhance the learning of current and future generations. Te Pā has a presence that upholds the mana of Waikato-Tainui, the Kīngitanga, Waikato University and the higher education it provides. This is a Gold Pin winner of an elite standard.

Description:

The University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato is the first mainstream university in the world to redefine the university as a bicultural place of welcome, education, and connection. Establishing a spectacular place of welcome onto the University’s Hamilton campus, The Pā is designed to transform the experience of campus life for students, staff and visitors.

A multi-functional facility at the heart of student life, The Pā gathers a wharenui and marae complex, the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, a student learning hub, and Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies beneath an all-encompassing whakarūrūhau. Its entrance is marked by a carved waharoa and grassed ātea, providing gathering space for ceremonial events and pōwhiri welcomes onto the campus. The project forms the most ambitious project in the University’s 60-year history and supports its aim to provide an authentic and immersive bicultural tertiary education experience to all students.

The University’s Hamilton campus is situated on Karipūkau, Hillcrest Ridge, overlooking the Waikato Plains. Karipūkau was once densely forested in kahikatea and tawa. Acknowledging the memory of this historic forest, and the surrounding wetlands, The Pā is constructed from massive timber columns and beams supporting the majestic whakaruruhau. The single storey central wharenui is the generator of both space and structure for the overall building. From the tāhuhu (ridge beam) of the wharenui, timber heke (rafters) intersect and extend outward and upward, enclosing the varying single- and double-height spaces beneath.

The interior spaces of The Pā are designed for versatility and adaptability, accommodating functions such as graduations, cultural performances, conferences, hui and events. The project also includes restoration the original building on campus, the A Block –home to Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, which overlooks the student hub and performance stage.

A co-design process, which extended to consultation with the Waikato-Tainui and the Kīngitanga, was key to the successful expression of The Pā’s purpose and significance. A Tikanga leadership group was established to provide leadership for the cultural considerations across the complexity of the project, including support and guidance for the projects carvers and weavers, refinement of the building’s cultural narratives, and guidance for the project’s carvers and weavers. Over 30 artists contributed to carved and woven works adorning The Pā under the mantle of the Kīngitanga, who provided support and guidance to the University throughout the project, including the commissioning of the artistic teams.