Aladina Harunani & the team at apa Architects and Project Managers are humbled to be announced as the 2016 SUPREME award winners of the ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Awards 2016. The team were recognised for the design of a marae building in the riverside Tanatana marae in the heart of Tuhoe country. The building, a Wharemate was recognised for the design’s attention to the deep emotions summoned in simultaneous celebrations of life and death. it was this integral part of apa’s philosophy of ‘sustainable architecture with a physical & spiritual blend’ that raised the design above 149 others competing for one of the most coveted architectural award titles in the country.
Aladina & his team were commissioned to design a wharemate for whānau to mourn over a three to four day period. The new building would sit alongside a traditional wharenui. It was a welcome addition to the marae who had previously had to rely on temporary shelters.
Marae committee representative Martin Rakuraku expanded on their needs “Traditionally the oratory takes place outside, whether it’s rain, hail or sunshine. But we do occasionally get bad weather here and it’s important for people to be warm and comfortable. We decided we wanted this new building to house the mourning family and to be a symbol of the future.”
ADNZ CEO Astrid Andersen said “designing for very specific and complex cultural requirements demands a considerable amount of skill and sensitivity from a designer”.
The Award has attracted a number of articles in the press & architectural publications:
The Architectural Designers of New Zealand Awards 2016 can be found here >>