The jury‘s comment:

“Clear and contemporary in its formality yet deeply meaningful in its purpose and usage, Kā Uri is an intelligent embodiment of place and culture. The storytelling is focused on what is within the gallery spaces and framed by the fabric of the interiors. These are beautifully simple in form and materiality, with a ‘far far’ north quality of light, ensuring the function of the space becomes the main attraction: showcasing talented craftspeople and bespoke taonga, and housing a kauri workshop and kura waka. Kā Uri is so much more than a commercial gateway to Te Hiku o te Ika: it is an expression of history and restoration, and a statement of the future direction and aspirations of Ngāti Kuri.”

PROJECT DETAILS:

Location: Awanui, Far North District

Client: Kā Uri, Awanui

Building area (m²): 3655m²

Project brief: Kā Uri is a fully-redeveloped cultural and visitor destination in Awanui. This is the first of many Ngāti Kuri projects — collectively Te Ara Whānui — intended to complement its current investments and build community resilience, shared prosperity and mana motuhake for its people across the region. The brief included a kauri workshop: producing high-end and bespoke sculpture and furniture, a kura waka: a space for the construction and carving of waka, a visitor experience and exhibition space, café, dining areas and a commercial kitchen, smaller exhibition areas offering curated and culturally significant content, offices and hireable admin spaces, wharepaku and extensive māra kai educational gardens.

“The site contained a series of large industrial sheds which had originally been used as storage for a dairy co-op, and had more recently been developed into the ‘Ancient Kauri Kingdom’ as a tourist destination and workshop for the crafting of swamp kauri products. The brief for Kā Uri sought to reimagine the complex in light of the site’s history. A large, covered entry to the west provides a formal welcome to visitors, leading them into the double-height exhibition space. Large windows into the kauri workshop and waka school offer glimpses into the fabrication process. Café dining areas open out to the north and west towards the river, where they can serve visitors and the local community.” – the Glamuzina team

Credits:

• Project principal – Dominic Glamuzina
• Project lead – Sam Aislabie
• Project lead – Rory Keegan
• Project lead – Josh Overend-Clarke

Watch the finalist presentation here: 

With thanks to our Interior Awards 2023 sponsors. Find out more about each of our sponsors here.