University of Auckland | Hiwa, Recreation Centre
Auckland, New Zealand
Client : University of Auckland
Area : 232,500 sf
Program : Aquatic Centre (8-Lane 33m Lap Pool, Therapy Pool, Changerooms), Gymnasium, Squash Courts, Fitness Studio, Dance Studio, Martial Arts Studio, Circuit Studio, Yoga Studio, Indoor Track, Bouldering Wall, Physiotherapy, Retail, Outdoor Program (Futsal Artificial Turf)
Associated Architects : Warren and Mahoney
Named after Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, the youngest star in the Māori Matariki cluster (pleiades), Hiwa symbolises aspiration, growth, and ambition – fitting for this new vibrant recreation hub. The 22,000 m2 vertically stacked recreation centre houses three large volumes: a 1,200-seat event sports hall, a practice sports hall, and an aquatics hall, along with associated fitness and social amenities. As one rises from street level to roof running track, a major program volume occurs at each level. These venues are alternated on either side of a central fitness core in order to optimize user participation and engagement.
The University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau is an urban campus that is fully meshed into the heart of this city of 1.8-million people. Auckland’s dramatic topography is dotted with rainforest and 53-inactive volcanic centers that make-up the Auckland volcanic field. The city is situated on an isthmus with a harbor on both the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea, creating signature dramatic weather patterns. To reflect this, the building is clad with stainless steel panels and matching louvers to unify the mass into a single but punctuated form. The exterior cladding seeks to dematerialize its large facades, capturing reflections of the shifting Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau weather and surrounding nature. The louvres allow dynamic views of activity, while ensuring no internal performance glare.
The shaped roof of the below-grade aquatics hall creates a new student plaza above. Required clearance over the diving board forms a mound – Taumata, meaning ‘resting place on a hill’ – is the focal point of the plaza, symbolizing Rangipuke, the name of the volcano that the University sits on. The southern glazed face of Taumata provides natural light into the aquatic hall and a viewing platform to observe the aquatics activity below.