Waiparuru Hall

Award-Winning Design

Waipārūrū Hall challenges the norm for student accommodation. Catered for Gen Z and the future Gen Alpha students, the design promotes diversity and inclusion, fosters learning and talent and provides a welcoming sense of place – so much more than a place to sleep. The two towers are connected by a Podium, with this communal space promoting ‘LIVE, LEARN, EAT’ influenced by pedagogy, workplace and hospitality design.

• 2021 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award – Colour
• 2021 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award – Housing Multi
• 2020 Designers Institute of NZ Best Awards – Silver – Public + Institutional Spaces/Built Environments
• 2020 Designers Institute of NZ Best Awards – Silver – Colour Award Spatial

Batten Variation

Our Vic Ash Click-on battens are used internally on walls throughout the entrance and reception area. Aesthetic appeal is added to the timber walls by using different sized battens to create variation. The battens were also tinted with Natural Accent Clear Poly to match the look of American White Oak. The battens were installed in a sequence of: 42×42, 22×42, 42×42, 22×42, 22×42, 42×42, 22×42, 42×42, 42×42.

Material Mix

The main entrance blends the interior to the streetscape outside by incorporating raw and polished concrete and an expanded mesh halo over the reception desk. However, the use of light coloured timber in the space helps to break up the robust interior materials by providing some warmth and softness into the mix.