Project Description

The Starship Foundation were gifting funding for a new research centre to accelerate world-class health for all tamariki(children) in Aotearoa(NZ). This included a new workspace, a seminar and workshop space to support more than 200 staff at Starship Hospital and a hub for all tāmariki and whānau(family). Starship were gifted a pūrākau(cultural narrative) by Dame Naida Glavish (Ngāti Whātua and Te Whatu Ora Māori advisor). The pūrākau tells a story of the pīpīwharauroa(bird) laying and gifting its eggs into the riroriro(bird) nest, for the riroriro to nurture and care for. This pūrākau resonates with Starship because the whānau leave their tamariki in Starships care. The pūrākau forms as a basis and seed to carry the project. TOA Architects expanded on the pūrākau by looking at the pīpīwharauroa’s journey to Aotearoa. The pipīwharauroa flew over from Hawaiiki, across the realm of Tangaroa(God of the sea) and lands in Te Waonui o Tane(God of the forest). When you hear the manu’s bird call, it is the first sign of spring, of mahuru(Māori new year). Spring is the time for re-growth, for planting seeds. Through the expansion of this pūrākau, we also envisioned the building itself as Te Waonui o Tane. The basement level being the roots of the tree, the ground level as the ngāhere(forest) floor and the first level as the tree canopy. The artwork, materials and colours are designed to engage tamariki whilst integrating the ngāhere, and Starship’s identity. • The ground level represents the ngāhere floor, where we find rongoa māori(māori medicine)/nutrients; kai(food), maanaaki(to give hospitality and generosity), education and creativity. • The first level is the tree canopies, where the pīpīwharauroa and riroriro birds live, where the workspaces are, where the branches reach new heights for Ranginui(sky father/god). The curved ply walls along the first floor mimic the movement of the manu(bird) swooping between the tree tops. • The glazing decal on the front façade of the building illustrates the pūrākau and the Starship Foundation’s identity, giving the organisation and building a strong community presence. • A design that connects the relationship between tamariki and workspace. The Shaw carpet tiles are designed to mimic the niho taniwha(guardian’s teeth) pattern often seen in tukutuku(lattice work panels, image below) on marae and in māori art work. The niho taniwha pattern represents protection and has been designed as a tool for way-finding, guiding people through the building from the entrance to the rear. Material Health, Circular Economy & Carbon Impact; o Incorporating recycled and natural materials to reference the ngāhere(forest); Maxwell Rodgers Mana fabric with 27% harakeke(native flax) and 62% wool, other wool fabrics, tōtara and kōwhai(native trees), ply, biophilia and autex (recycled bottlecaps). o The use of colours and biophilia, whilst referencing the ngāhere and Starship, are therapeutic, uplifting and engaging for tamariki. o The ground level feature walls were designed with a toi(art) māori, playful style, with vibrant colours so that tamariki(children) still felt that this space was designed for them, even though it is a work space. o The first floor level colours; timber, ply, browns, greens, with pops of colour, are intended to be more therapeutic and soften the busy working environment. Referencing the Living Building Challenge Red List and Declare products to ensure we are specifying eco friendly and responsible materials. o The ground floor rooms; innovation hub, education & seminar space are designed to facilitate collaboration and adapt to various situations, enabling Starship to rent these spaces out to external organisations. The spaces can be used for a larger presentation with a mixture of formal and casual seating of up to 50 people, smaller working groups nestled around small-medium tables, 2x height adjustable work benches for medium sized groups. The acoustic treatment of these areas; acoustic wall linings, ceiling tiles, cube ceiling fins and curved walls, work so well together that both spaces can operate simultaneously. Both spaces are fitted with smart tvs, video conferencing, projectors and audio equipment. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; o In 1840 Apihai Te Kawau, Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei(NWŌ) rangatira(leader) gifted 3000 acres of land to the government to establish the settlement of Auckland. This event is significant to Auckland’s history and the land in which the site sits on. It also recognises and acknowledges NWŌ as the original land-owners/mana whenua of that rohe(region). o Dame Naida Glavish (NWŌ rangatira) gifted Starship the pūrākau(cultural narrative) for this project and future projects. o Donna Tamaariki (NWŌ rangatira) from Maurea Consulting collaborated on the project from start to finish, providing Māori consultancy services from a Te Ao Māori/tikanga(protocals) perspective. o During Matariki in 2023, NWŌ attended the opening ceremony for the Starship Foundation's new whare(building), Whiti Ora. To bless the whare to remove the tapu(sacredness) before the Starship Foundation move in. This is tikanga in Te Ao Māori. o We represented the gifting narrative (gifting of the land from NWŌ to Starship, gifting the pīpīwharauroa’s eggs to the riroriro nest, gifting of tamariki into Starship’s care) by emphasising thresholds and the transition between spaces, as if you are gifting yourself from one space to another. This is shown on the front façade, between the lift lobbies, kitchen and innovation hub. It is important to reference this narrative as it links back to a significant event and recognises NWŌ as mana whenua(people of the land). o The purpose of this space is to foster research, innovation, and education for the betterment of children and whānau(family) in Aotearoa(NZ). The building promotes a strong research culture, aiding Starship in enhancing clinical pathways and testing new services. o The building serves as a platform for donor appreciation and attraction, by hosting events in its seminar and innovation areas. The murals within the impact and recognition space (main entrance) are designed to recognise Starship’s donors, greet tāmariki, visitors and staff. o Whiti Ora has been extremely successful in, the facility is constantly booked with events, including graduation ceremonies, pōwhiri(welcoming ceremonies) for new staff, donors and visitors, workshops and strategic planning for hospital leadership, art exhibitions created by Starship children to raise funds for the hospital and educational seminars focused on research and innovation to ensure Starship can attract the best and brightest medical staff.