Description:

Upholding our belief that creativity flourishes in beautiful spaces, we crafted Punawai to enrich the creative process of music production.
The building nestles into a small shady tree lined site where it looks to blend into this natural setting – becoming a treehouse – with curving form, green roof and soft timber cladding. The form of the building responds to the site, curving around the trees, with the studios looking out into nature with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a large circular skylight in the centre of the building capturing the leafy canopy and dappled sunlight.
The name Punawai, crafted by Kristin’s kaumātua, Kereama Nathan, reflects the buildings purpose as a source of musical knowledge and refers to the flowing of music from performer to listener, as well as the curving natural form of the building.
The six individual music studios within Punawai are meticulously designed to ensure optimal soundproofing, allowing for simultaneous use without interference from competing sounds. This attention to acoustic detail is complemented by the building's large central atrium, a welcoming space with comfortable seating where students can gather, relax, and prepare for their lessons.