By Pacific Environments Architects
Te Rerenga Wairua visitor facilities
Relocation of visitor facilities and interpretation centre away from Te Ara Wairua (path of the spirits) to provide principal reception points for visitors to Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga). The project included significant open space landscape regeneration and sensitive art integrated references to historical and cultural context.
Master planning also included concept design for a future visitor centre which included artist in residence type studios and a car park expansion strategy to cater for the expected increase in visitors to the site. A holistic approach to sustainable design included significant open space landscape regeneration, robust low maintenance materials that naturally weather with time and full on site treatment of waste water. The buildings were all naturally lit and ventilated.
Extensive consultation was required with local iwi groups, tour operators and Northland Tourism. At times iwi consultation was extremely sensitive particularly in regard to historical grievances. The design team successfully collaborated with renowned artist Carin Wilson and integrated art work in to the precast concrete walls with sensitive historical, cultural and environmental references.
Pacific Environments Architects is an environmentally focused architectural & urban design practice working towards the best outcomes for people, place and community.
With over 60 years experience, our portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects – master planning and urban design, civic and community centres, commercial buildings, retirement villages, large and small-scale residential, community housing, education facilities, sports and leisure and resort projects.
Whatever the size of your project, we have specialists from our team of 40+ that can guide you through the design process. We support our services with a clear and cohesive design process. From briefing to project completion, including pre-purchase feasibility, site selection and contract administration, our goal is to provide an easy-to-follow and enjoyable experience.
An underlying philosophy at Pacific Environments is to promote environmentally sustainable and regenerative design. We believe that designing physical objects, the built environment and associated infrastructure to comply with the principles of social, economic and ecological sustainability are core to a constantly regenerating and self-sustaining ecosystem. Pacific Environments were early to adopt environmentally sustainable processes and methodologies in the practice, and were one of the founding signatories of New Zealand Architects Declare. As such, we are committed to strengthening our working practices to create architecture and urbanism that has a more positive impact on the world around us. We have recently joined Toitu Envirocare and are working towards becoming a certified carbon zero company by 2023.
The Pacific Environments team genuinely love what they do, our positive, energetic and ‘hands on’ approach along with a focus on understanding our clients’ needs means that we deliver tailored solutions, not generic answers.