The Lab was a joint project between the architecture and spatial design faculties of AUT University, The University of Auckland and UNITEC. These institutions worked alongside students, local academics, designers and architects to develop a series of two to three week-long interdisciplinary design projects.
Te Hononga / Māori Studio has been offering real world studio design projects at UNITEC for over 13 years. Te Hononga has developed expertise in articulating local language to guide students through an investigative approach to cultural landscapes, living patterns, identifying sustainable solutions, discovering appropriate materials and evaluating construction solutions while engaging in experiential opportunities.
Matariki Paparewa is a design and construct project by students of UNITEC’s Te Hononga Māori Architecture Studio as part of the 5th Auckland Triennial Lab.
Drawing cues from the historical ‘Hakari stages’—a traditional form of Māori celebratory architecture not seen since the mid-1800s with the last know 400 yard long structure built in Remuera by Tāmaki Iwi in 1844—Matariki Paparewa celebrates the local and specific history, identity and culture of Tāmaki’s mana whenua in the con- text of recent significant Iwi treaty settlements. 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 reposi- tion themselves in terms of their kaitiaki (stewardship) roles and begin to reassert their identity in the physical environment.
The Matariki Paparewa structure will be open to the public
during Matariki (Māori New Year) 14th June–21st July at Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter. The Matariki Paparewa exhibit will be presented within the Auckland Art Gallery Labfrom the 11th–30th June.
7 posts
About the team
Sirkes Dankha
Sirkes completed the National Diploma in Architectural Technology (NDAT) in 2009, followed by the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) from which he graduated in the summer of 2012. Sirkes is currently in his 1st year of the Master of Architecture professional program. Sirkes has been living in New Zealand for the past 8 years; he joined Māori studio for the opportunity to further explore Māori history and culture. He is excited to be a part of a design team, and to construct a real project and see it come to life.
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About the team
Ina Klinkhardt
Ina is a 25 year old exchange student from Germany. Ina chose New Zealand for exchange as she is very interested in the relationship between a building and its surroundings. Ina chose Māori studio because of her interest in the Māori relationship to nature and natural building materials and for the opportunity to learn more about Māori culture. Ina works in a cinema in Germany and is interested in films, music and projection techniques, especially the lense and light breaking options/boundaries. Ina hopes to complete a postgraduate degree in architectural lighting design in the future.
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