1. Giraffe House by Monk Mackenzie in Auckland
2. SkyCity Casino Auckland
3. Auckland Art Gallery by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) in Auckland
4. The Pā, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
5. New Zealand’s first 3D-printed concrete house
New Zealand is well known for its natural beauty, but there are some incredible pieces of architecture out there as well. New Zealand typically has sustainability at the forefront of its architecture as it’s a very environmentally conscious country.
They also need to fit into the landscape and have the heritage of the New Zealand people in mind. We’re going to be taking a look through some of the best architectural projects in New Zealand and how they earned their place at the top.
Biggest architectural projects in New Zealand
Giraffe House by Monk Mackenzie in Auckland
It wouldn’t be an article about New Zealand without mentioning some animals! One of the most impressive pieces of architecture you can find in New Zealand is a giraffe house. Giraffes are huge, whereas the humans looking after them are not.
Therefore, they needed a breeding house that worked for everyone who was going to be using it. This resulted in a breeding house that fluctuates between three and ten metres to make sure that everyone is accounted for.
Not only is the breeding house functional, but it’s also a wonderful piece of architecture. It fits in perfectly with the landscape it's been built on, and it also suits the animals. Keepers can observe the giraffes from a mezzanine level which means they do not feel like they’re being intruded on.
SkyCity Casino Auckland
One of the most impressive of the more modern buildings in New Zealand is the SkyCity Casino. New Zealand have recently launched a process to regulate online casinos so the industry is currently thriving, meaning increasing numbers are heading online in their spare time. We’ve seen online operators popping up all over New Zealand. For those who see choice as a crucial factor, Jackpot City has a range of games which are ideal for those looking for quick play. But for those looking to make an evening out of it, a visit to an impressive venue is hard to top, which is why SkyCity Casino is so successful.
It’s below one of the city’s most famous landmarks - the Sky Tower which means that it attracts lots of visitors simply by its location. This is one casino that is trying its hardest to keep up with the growing demand for online-based gaming.
Auckland Art Gallery by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) in Auckland
Another top-tier architectural project is the award-winning Auckland Art Gallery. This project had the difficult task of being able to fit into the landscape of the city and the nearby Albert Park. It was one of the biggest projects of its kind in New Zealand and one of its best successes.
The gallery was a joint venture between Sydney-based FJMT (Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp), Auckland-based company Archimedia and Auckland City Council. Everyone involved in the project knew that making sure the building was heritage-sensitive was of the highest importance. New Zealand’s Indigenous history is vitally important to uphold, so this was kept at the forefront of everyone’s mind on this build.
They managed to up the gallery space by 50% as well as incorporating more natural light into the space. Earthquake-proofing the gallery was also at the top of the list due to the whole country being at risk of these natural disasters.
The Pā, Kirikiriroa Hamilton
This project was taken on by Architectus, one of Australasia's largest design practices, and had Jasmax, Design Tribe and Wraight & Associates as a design partner. The goal was to build a new main entrance and build on the multi-purpose facility at the Hamilton University campus.
Even though The Pā has only just been completed in 2023, it’s already won a couple of awards including the Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Award in the Education category, as well as the PCNZ Property Industry Best in Category and Excellence Award in the Education Property category.
Having a building that is based upon the heritage of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand makes this building conscious as well as beautiful. Combining all the necessary elements for a university building, including a wharenui, makes this building a symbol of connectivity and unity.
New Zealand’s first 3D-printed concrete house
Last but not least, we have New Zealand’s 3D-printed house - the first of its kind. It’s just as impressive as you might think and is set back in a suburb of Auckland called Paremoremo.
This innovative design was a bit of a surprise for New Zealand as they typically favour the environmental implications rather than being at the forefront of technology. The architect Tim Dorrington of Dorrington Atcheson Architects had previously only used this technology to design the inside walls of buildings so this was a risk.
3D printing means that the building of the home is cost-effective and shows promise for the future of building houses on a budget.
There are so many amazing architectural projects happening in New Zealand. They’re at the forefront of combining the importance of design and nature. This balance results in thoughtful architecture that enhances the natural landscape. Which is your favourite?
