TWOA Centre - Auckland.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa's Campus in Māngere, Auckland was one of many buildings devastated by the 2023 floods. Now, after eight months of planning and construction, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa's campus has been restored and is now open again to all the students in a fresh new design space.
GH Commercial, collaborating with APG Architects and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, has carefully designed spaces to be both practical and visually appealing. Prioritizing human-centered design principles, our approach ensures not only functionality but also the well-being of those who inhabit these thoughtfully crafted environments.
Established in 1984, it is one of NZ’s largest tertiary education providers. Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has campuses all over New Zealand. Te Wānanga o Aotearoa stands as a highly respected Māori tertiary education institution, renowned for its commitment to provide holistic education opportunities. The Māngere campus is known for its Māori language and culture preservation. Their mission has been to offer a diverse array of educational programs to students throughout Aotearoa, ensuring a vibrant cultural legacy.
Originally converted from a long, decommissioned, factory, the Māngere campus now covers an area of 10,000 m². The site underwent a remarkable transformation into a cutting-edge educational facility, embodying the unique cultural ethos of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. This revitalized space aims to ignite the passion for learning among students and the local community alike. Within the Trade and Technology Campus, you'll find a versatile 250-seat theatre, a 100-seat computer teaching lab, dance studios, eight well-equipped classrooms, a graphic, web design school, and Trade Centre.
Our exploration into flooring design commenced by delving into diverse graphic representations of cultural elements rooted in Māori tradition, coupled with a keen focus on creating Flooring solutions that are tranquil and conducive learning environments. This extensive research served as the guiding force behind our design process, leading the GH Commercial team to unveil our Relaxing Floors collection, by Mohawk Group, featuring an exquisite weave effect. Inspired by the herringbone design, this unique pattern boasts earthy tones and random colour placements, evoking the essence of natural fibre weaving and paying homage to the traditional Māori art of "Raranga".
The Relaxing Floors collection unfolds as a canvas with four distinct styles, each housing six patterns within various colourways. Far beyond a mere visual delight, this collection is scientifically designed to reduce stress and contribute to physical well-being. Rooted in a fusion of art, science, and human-centred design, the incorporation of fractal patterns offers a refreshing departure from the digital world, introducing the essence of nature to the contract build environment. It's not just about a floor; it's a deliberate effort to enhance well-being and infuse a sense of nature into the very fabric of the spaces we inhabit.
Within the classroom setting, the versatile and functional Aria II tile was chosen. Aria II emerges as the optimal choice for educational spaces, seamlessly marrying practicality with a significant aesthetic impact. The tile's versatility and functionality make it a standout option, ensuring durability and easy maintenance, while its visually striking checkered effect, especially when exposed to the right light, adds a dynamic and engaging dimension to learning environments. Mohawk Group's Relaxing Floors Collection and Feltex Aaria II are both proudly certified as Declare® Red List Free. This means that these carpet tiles and planks are crafted without any manufacturing 'nasties,' ensuring cleaner indoor air and a healthier environment for your interior spaces.
Product: Mohawk Group, Relaxing Floors Collection - Fractal Ground, restD, mellowD and childD, Textured Multi Coloured Loop Pile carpet planks and Feltex, Aria II Patterned
loop pile carpet tile
Architect: APG Architects
Installer: KR Flooring
Project Type: Education
