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Project by
Location
Waitangi, Northland
Year of completion
2009
Client
Waitangi National Trust

The brief was to create a new facility, which was light and airy, and connected to the exterior.
The building consists of a large gabled roof supported on a post and beam structure with glass walls to 50% of the exterior beneath. The roof is void of gutters which allows the water from the roof to fall to the ground. This removes the significant issue of leaf-fall blocking gutters whilst allowing the creation of a very fine edge to the roof. The large macrocarpa bargeboards are finished with a horizontal cut to emphasise the floating nature of the roof, unique in comparison to the other buildings on the grounds.

The ridge of the roof features a skylight, which floods the building with natural light. The solid surfaces of the tiled concrete floors and the tiled concrete block walls provide a solid base for the clear glass between, which allows connection with the surrounding native forest. The privacy of the obscure glass panel walls is aided by the enclosure of the rough-sawn, pine vertical timber screens to the exterior. The timber feature is designed to play off a “hut in the bush” – reminiscent of the basic buildings of this land.

Awards and
recognition

2010
New Zealand Institute of Architects
2010 Auckland Small Projects Architecture Award Winner
Harris Butt Architecture
Northland
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WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK
WAITANGI TOILET BLOCK

About the
Professional

As Director and Principal Architect of HB Architecture, Grant Harris has infused the business with his singular passion for architectural design. Grant’s extensive formal training and qualifications are outmatched only by his practical
experience; over 40 years of his life have been dedicated to the expression of art through architectural form, resulting in countless completed projects.

We work with a range of clients and projects to design a varied range of commercial buildings that enhance workplaces and culture. From the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to Knoll Ridge cafe on Mt Ruapehu, visit our full commercial design portolio.

We provide bespoke, high end residential new builds, renovations and extensions across New Zealand. Working with our clients, we provide residential architecture that delivers you a world class home. We ensure our designs are a true reflection of your individual style and aspirations and make them modern, functional and sophisticated.