Pacific Lakes Village‘s new 2,500m² pavilion marks the completion of a major architectural project for the Bay of Plenty retirement community.

Designed by Peddlethorp, with interior design by Space Studio, the pavilion serves as a central gathering place for residents, featuring a mix of social, hospitality, and wellness spaces arranged around views of the village’s lakes. The programme includes multi-use rooms for events and meetings, a café and brasserie, a lounge bar, activity rooms, and an outdoor terrace. The project was delivered over three years with significant involvement from local contractors and extensive use of mass timber.

The pavilion was opened on Friday, 28 November by the Honourable Tama Potaka, Māori Development Minister and Associate Minister of Housing, at a ceremony attended by residents, tangata whenua, local representatives and project partners. The building sits on land owned by Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporation, whose kaumātua blessed the space. 

Cameron Pattull, Senior Associate, Peddlethorp, said ” Peddlethorp is delighted to see the unveiling of this remarkable addition to Pacific Lakes Village. After almost 5 years of collaboration, this project marks another milestone in our ongoing partnership with Generus Living and their wider team, bringing a truly one-of-a-kind building to life. From the outset, we worked to translate Generus Living’s ambitions into reality through a design-by-research approach that shaped an architectural form deeply connected to its place and cultural context. Inspired by the whenua, the surrounding moana and meandering lakeside, as well as the history and narratives of Mangatawa, The Pavilion gently turns towards the maunga and Mangatawa Marae, a respectful acknowledgement of the local iwi and its whānau. With its expressed glulam timber structure and a palette of carefully considered, locally crafted materials, The Pavilion embodies sustainability and craftsmanship rarely seen in New Zealand. The strong interest and positive community response throughout its development made it a pleasure to collaborate with our design partners and builders in delivering a landmark facility that reflects Papamoa’s growing reputation as a premier retirement living location.

Interior design was led by Space Studio, which focused on tactile finishes and New Zealand-made elements. Natural light is brought into the interior through skylights, while fluted timber panels, metal detailing and crafted furniture form the material palette. Works by artists Peter Collis, Iza Lozano, Stephen Lee and Jasmine Clark introduce ceramics and weaving that reference regional stories and local making traditions.

David Sweatman, director at Space Studio, said, “With the structure and functional layout established, our focus centred on creating spaces that genuinely foster community connection. The building’s architecture presented a relatively formal framework, with strong axial relationships oriented toward mountain views and the Lakehouse, while carefully positioned for wind protection and solar control. Rather than working against this structured planning, we embraced the architectural grid while softening it through layered design interventions”

The pavilion serves residents of both Pacific Lakes Village and neighbouring Pacific Coast Village. Construction of a hydrotherapy pool and fitness studio is planned to begin in mid-2026.

The project is part of the Generus Living Collection.