Toka Puia is a future-proofed facility that bookends trips to downtown Takapuna. By daytime, the golden Tukutuku panels welcome you in, acting as a beacon for travellers and commuters eager to start their day. As night falls, the lights shine down the white diagrid, invoking the history of the Gasometer building and connecting the temporary occupants with the past as they ready themselves to leave, casting the day into their own history.
Client
Panuku
Architect
Ignite Architects
Contractor
Argon Construction
Location
A design for the future that's inspired by the past
With an ambitious brief calling for a single skin mesh stretched over an open area, the vision for the car park was both compelling and challenging. In particular, the intended substructure would add complexity and likely, cost. The diagrid, which provides the reference to the historical site, adds a wonderful extra visual dimension but similarly came at a complexity related cost.
Working in close collaboration with Ignite, the design was refined and adapted to simplify the installation process and reduce cost at the same time. A dapple textured mesh with a custom pattern was developed, the panel modules pre-fabricated and raised into place via hoist.
It was a quick and straightforward installation methodology, unveiling the 3 dimensional quality of the diamonds in quick succession to passers-by. By meeting the safety from falling regulations, the panels also served an essential, functional purpose.
