Gisborne District Council
2018
Public & Civic
2019 NZIA Awards
// Gisborne, Hawke's Bay
// Commercial Architecture
Brian Rastrick
A comprehensive review of workplace strategy underpinned Chow:Hill’s award-winning modern design of Awarua, the new Gisborne District Council administration building. The future-focused council service centre, which accommodates over 220 staff members on one level, was a collaborative project between Chow:Hill, Gisborne District Council, Gisborne Holdings and Lardelli Arts.
Through an interactive stakeholder survey and collaborative consultation process, the Chow:Hill design team tested a range of development options with the Gisborne District Council team. A particular focus was the transitioning of all staff into a modern working and customer service environment.
Running in parallel to this process, the project's cultural design narratives were developed under the direction of tohunga, Sir Derek Lardelli, cultural design director from Lardelli Arts, who guided the cultural influences incorporated into the design. Particular emphasis was placed on the history of the Tairāwhiti region and the diversity of its community.
Photography by: Amanda Aitken
Awarua (meaning two waters) celebrates the joining of two cultures through its shape, a waka haurua (twin-hulled canoe). The sides of the building replicate the curves of the waka and ships that landed in the region, while the large compass etched into the entranceway concrete is a tribute to the importance of the moana.
The Gisborne District Council Administration Centre benefits from a number of cost-effective energy efficiency design initiatives including:
A comprehensive review of workplace strategy underpinned Chow:Hill’s award-winning modern design of Awarua, the new Gisborne District Council administration building. The future-focused council service centre, which accommodates over 220 staff members on one level, was a collaborative project between Chow:Hill, Gisborne District Council, Gisborne Holdings and Lardelli Arts.
Through an interactive stakeholder survey and collaborative consultation process, the Chow:Hill design team tested a range of development options with the Gisborne District Council team. A particular focus was the transitioning of all staff into a modern working and customer service environment.
Running in parallel to this process, the project's cultural design narratives were developed under the direction of tohunga, Sir Derek Lardelli, cultural design director from Lardelli Arts, who guided the cultural influences incorporated into the design. Particular emphasis was placed on the history of the Tairāwhiti region and the diversity of its community.
Photography by: Amanda Aitken
Awarua (meaning two waters) celebrates the joining of two cultures through its shape, a waka haurua (twin-hulled canoe). The sides of the building replicate the curves of the waka and ships that landed in the region, while the large compass etched into the entranceway concrete is a tribute to the importance of the moana.
The Gisborne District Council Administration Centre benefits from a number of cost-effective energy efficiency design initiatives including:
Gisborne DC Administration Building
2018
Public & Civic
2019 NZIA Awards
// Gisborne, Hawke's Bay
// Commercial Architecture
A comprehensive review of workplace strategy underpinned Chow:Hill’s award-winning modern design of Awarua, the new Gisborne District Council administration building. The future-focused council service centre, which accommodates over 220 staff members on one level, was a collaborative project between Chow:Hill, Gisborne District Council, Gisborne Holdings and Lardelli Arts.
Through an interactive stakeholder survey and collaborative consultation process, the Chow:Hill design team tested a range of development options with the Gisborne District Council team. A particular focus was the transitioning of all staff into a modern working and customer service environment.
Running in parallel to this process, the project's cultural design narratives were developed under the direction of tohunga, Sir Derek Lardelli, cultural design director from Lardelli Arts, who guided the cultural influences incorporated into the design. Particular emphasis was placed on the history of the Tairāwhiti region and the diversity of its community.
Photography by: Amanda Aitken
Awarua (meaning two waters) celebrates the joining of two cultures through its shape, a waka haurua (twin-hulled canoe). The sides of the building replicate the curves of the waka and ships that landed in the region, while the large compass etched into the entranceway concrete is a tribute to the importance of the moana.
The Gisborne District Council Administration Centre benefits from a number of cost-effective energy efficiency design initiatives including:
Gisborne DC Administration Building
2018
Public & Civic
2019 NZIA Awards
// Gisborne, Hawke's Bay
// Commercial Architecture