Kate S

CV


Te Tihi
Aurecon
Narrative and Workplace Design
Interior Design, Warren and Mahoney
Auckland
Completed 2023



Alongside a team of fellow interior and graphic designers, I played a key role in developing a design identity and narrative for the design of Aurecon’s new Auckland Headquaters. The brief for this 3200sqm workspace was to seamlessly combine an agile working methodology, with respectful and knowledgable design moves informed by the local Iwi and the Whenua. The beginning narrational design phases of this project, I believe were invaluable and transformative not only for the final outcome of the project but for everyone invovled. We found long lasting collaborative relationships, new ways of thinking about authentic cultural integration into design and a deeper understanding of Tamaki Makaurau. “Our project initiation began with hosting workshops alongside members of Aurecon’s He Rautaki Māori rōpū, to ensure the project would connect with people and place. Alongside Aurecon’s Workspace Ecology, Te Aranga Design principles were incorporated, and recognition of spiritual, mental, physical and social wellbeing were considered in alignment with Te Whare Tapa Whā cornerstones. This process evolved into a collaboration with local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, to discover co-design opportunities within the project and to personify Aurecon and co-create the project’s narrative.

A ‘mana mapping’ workshop identified culturally significant landmarks in the surrounding area. Waka arrivals and movements were tracked, living Maunga and Pā sites highlighted, and ancient super gardens located to understand how the land was used in pre-colonial settlements. This resulted in the centrepiece of The Curious Adventurer narrative – an inter-connecting stair between Aurecon’s two levels – being located along a view shaft to nearby Maungawhau, which along with other living Maunga and ancient Pā sites are highlighted by directional LED lights around a central feature column in the front of house.”


Project Awards:

2024 - New Zealand Institute of Architects New Zealand Architecture Awards - Interior Architecture
2024 - Interior Awards - Workplace over 1000m2 Category Winner
2024 - NZ Commercial Project Award - Gold Award – Commercial Office Fit-Out 2024 - New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards - Auckland - Interior Architecture
2023 - Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards - Workplace Environments over 1000m² - Gold Pin
2023 - Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards - Environmental Graphics - Gold Pin
2023 - Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Awards - Toitanga - Silver Pin 2022 - Good Design Award - He Rautaki Māori (Māori strategy)