Site map, analyzing direction to significant historical sites/Pā sites
Analysis through taking points, and joining points
Iteration and transformation
Form finalization
This assignment required designing entirely with concrete. While often associated with brutalism, I aimed to create a structure that felt lighter, yet still conveyed strength and security, fitting for a building that protects New Zealand’s national treasures.
The brief posed several constraints: a small floor plan, strict spatial requirements, and the need to keep most archive spaces light-free to protect sensitive documents. Security was also a priority, ensuring the public felt informed and welcomed, while much of the building’s function remained hidden behind secure, private areas.
My concept was guided by the story of Papatuanuku. In Maori cosmology, she was separated from Ranginui and gifted a protective cloak by her children. This became a metaphor for the design: a concrete façade acting as a cloak, offering protection while expressing lightness and pattern. Using site-based iterations, I developed a facade that filters light and creates a sense of transparency, while concealing the true depth of what lies within.
Ground floor plan
Section b
Section a
Main renders
