The University of Auckland Science Centre
By Architectus
The Science Centre (Building 302) provides accommodation for the Schools of Psychology, Chemistry and Environment in addition to staff spaces for the Faculty of Science itself. It is designed as the anchor of The University of Auckland’s Science Precinct.
Located on the edge of the city campus, the project responds to a brief that sought to increase the University’s presence at a key gateway whilst bringing together new and existing facilities within the precinct.
Formally the project is organised to offer a generous “window into the life of the University” for passers-by and the city at large, whilst the provision of new sheltered edges to the street and ground plane linkages weave a connective network between the public realm and the campus community.
The building is based on an organisational strategy that promotes social and academic interaction. As with many previous Architectus projects, the arrangement of the spaces in section is key. Activities are organised around a series of staggered “rooms” and a connecting atrium, creating a flexible environment for research, learning and interdisciplinary communication.
Location:
Auckland
Completion:
2016
Products used in
The University of Auckland Science Centre
Professionals used in
The University of Auckland Science Centre
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Architectus
About the
Professional
Architectus is an architecture and urbanism practice designing places and spaces tuned to their communities, context and culture. Advocates for integrated design, we apply a rigorous and tailored approach to create environments that are inspiring and enduring.
For over 30 years, we have been realising innovative and bespoke projects around Aotearoa New Zealand, shaping precincts and campuses with people and sustainability at their heart. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, we have had many successful joint ventures with local and international partners, and we enjoy a strong relationship with our associated studios in Australia.
Our Purpose
We believe architecture begins with a social agenda. It must nurture and grow communities and individuals, and enhance its neighbourhood and city. Appropriate, efficient and elegant architecture for today becomes the urban fabric of the future – we design for this longevity, to create places that will serve generations to come.
Design Philosophy
While a good project must firstly solve practical needs and be viable, a truly great project must embody a community’s broader cultural context: its urban and architectural setting, its local geography and ecology, and the stories of its people. The more meaningful a place becomes through a true sense of belonging, the greater the value and longevity it has for its community.
We believe placemaking in Aotearoa is grounded in a bicultural creative process. We partner with mana whenua to embed their aspirations and cultural narratives across functional, ceremonial, spatial and artistic dimensions.
Underpinning these human stories is our responsibility to be judicious with natural resources. Environmentally sensitive architecture requires us to be energy-efficient and space-efficient, and to use low-carbon materials and ethically sourced products.
This is a holistic approach that embeds our practice in a continuum of artistic and technical progress, so the architecture we are responsible for will be relevant for decades to come.
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