12,385 sqm / Auckland Airport

The industrial shed typology has long been the problem of reconciling the big box (warehouse) and the little box (office) into a successful building form.

When AIAL approached us to design a building for this 'landmark' site we considered carefully how we might re-evaluate the ubiquitous solution. We therefore considered how a singular building form might result in a more integrated and unified building form. We enquired as to what context might inform this project. Strong underlying volcanic landform became the basis of our concept along with notions of flight and aerodynamic form. Both of these discoveries provided a form that suggested movement both fast and slow that set the building into the context of this location.

The programme required 2 high stud warehouse volumes: one refrigerated and one dry store. The office component required was only 15 percent of this floor area. A large area of covered vehicle manoeuvring was also required.