Matariki Paparewa and The First Borough

Matariki Paparewa and The First Borough

Matariki Paparewa Bamboo and textile elements activate and engage with Silo Park’s gantry structure to create an impressive site-specific sculptural form, which is at once relevant to local needs whilst also contributing to significant international cultural debates. Looking towards the future and within the context of a fast growing multi ethnic city, this project provides opportunities to further the dialogue around the ways in which the 19 Tāmaki Iwi groups reposition themselves in terms of their kaitiaki roles and begin to reassert their identity in the physical environment. The Matariki Paparewa structure was open to the public during Matariki (Māori New Year in 2013), Wynyard Quarter. The Matariki Paparewa exhibit was presented within the Auckland Art Gallery at the same time. The First Borough Bree and myself developed three different typologies, of innovative triangular designs accommodating a mix of residential and commercial programmes. Avenues are cut through the buildings creating a green circulation, with meeting hubs and places to rest. We identified similar sites in Sydenham (the project location), where this same design strategy can be adapted to the local conditions – thus creating more places of innovation, rest and green to grey environments. The smallest of the three modular designs is 12000x6000mm designed for retail and office spacewith residential above. The medium modular is 12000x9000 designed as commercial space, and light industrial with residential above. The double module has two different designs. One is a 12000x6000 backed onto a 18x6 and the second is a 12000x9000 back onto a 18000x9000. These are designed for mixed use. A cut was made through the connection of the double design creating green avenues used for circulation and a more private area for residents to use. These modules were designed passively allowing solar energy collection, air ventilation, water collection, and the use of concrete as thermal mass, with a green edible garden at the bottom of each module.