Kōpua o Kiwa (Kiwa Pools) banner
Project by
Location
Awapuni, Gisborne
Year of completion
2023
Project cost
5m+

Kiwa Pools is eponymous to the name of the bay that it stands; Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, the great standing place of Kiwa. The narrative of Kiwa is told through the intimate details, woven throughout various aspects of the building, from structural elements to graphical imprints, designed in collaboration with Sir Derek Lardelli of Lardelli Arts.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, triangular colonnades stretch along the south elevation, reminiscing the breaking waves created by the Horouta waka. Guests are welcomed into the facility through the framed pawaha, depicting the mouth of the beast, leading under a large taniwha carving. Throughout the facility, the narrative is referenced through graphical imprints and wayfinding signage, a gallery of pipes and veins are on full display from the pool hall, depicting Te Manawa (the beating heart of the facility).

With a range of diverse functions, Kiwa Pool is not just a swimming facility, but a commitment to sustaining a vibrant community life by creating a fully accessible community amenity. The new pool facility boasts a 50m Olympic Pool, which contains a moveable floor for a world-class recreational and training facility. From the leisure pool to the hydrotherapy to the kids splash and learn to swim specific pools. The new Kiwa pool facility goes further in creating fun and safe swimming facilities.

Awards and
recognition

2024
NZIA
Local Award - Gisborne & Hawke\'s Bay
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About the
Professional

We are a mid-sized practie with its origins in the partnership of Burwell Hunt and Mike Davies in 1994. The growth of the practice in the 20 years since then has seen the Wellington office increase to a team of up to 20 architectural staff and the separate Hawkes Bay office opening in 2008. We are a client-focused, innovative, design-oriented practice with strong technical skills capable of providing full architectural and project management services. 

Our offices in Wellington and Hawke's Bay have the necessary breadth of skills to deliver excellent outcomes and have successfully completed commercial, community and residential projects of a variety of scales. We are committed to providing a positive influence on the creation of a sustainable future for our community.