Kaynemaile worked with Athfield Architects to develop a screening solution to envelope the stairwell protecting it from wind and rain.

The College of Creative Arts (CoCA) at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand comprises the internationally recognised School of Design and School of Art, and the newly established School of Music and Creative Media Production.

The building was designed by Athfield Architects and completed in 2012. Covering 3,600m2 over four levels, Te Ara Hihiko is designed to provide CoCA’s visual arts and fine art students with new gallery and studio space.

Connecting the studio ‘containers’ is a large external stairwell. Kaynemaile worked with Athfield Architects to develop a screening solution to envelop the stairwell protecting it from wind and rain. The mesh-clad stairwell connects the core central area to the studio spaces on the upper levels.

An interior ruby red and exterior champagne combination of mesh colours were used for this project and give a dramatically different effect by day and night. By day the champagne is dominant from the outside and the red is dominant from the interior, however by night the red is shown through the exterior.

The Kaynemaile screen offers a high level of wind and rain screening (approx. 80% decrease), while maintaining the high level of air flow required for regulatory compliance.

A second Kaynemaile screen was used as a balustrade for an internal stairwell visually connecting the two pieces.

Awards received for Te Ara Hihiko:

2012—NZ Wood Timber Design Award: Engineering Excellence — Winner

2013—NZIA Wellington Architecture Award: Education

2013—NZIA Wellington Architecture Award: Resene Colour Award

2013—NZIA Wellington Architecture Award: Sustainable Architecture

2013—PCNZ Rider Levett Bucknall Property Award: Coffey Education & Arts Award — Best in Category

2014—NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award: Education

2014—NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award: Sustainable Architecture

Project Details

Design Athfield Architects Wellington
Project College of Creative Arts, Te Ara Hihiko, Massey University
Location Wellington, New Zealand
Photographer Jason Mann

Mesh Colour Champagne, Ruby Red