Portfolio Of Architects Waikato - Maori Architecture Rotorua

Architecture Project Portfolio

Discover the calibre of what our award-winning architects are capable of by viewing our recent residential and commercial architectural design project portfolio below. Our wide-ranging scope of work includes everything from innovative housing developments to bold marae designs. Based in Waikato, we work across Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions, including Rotorua and New Plymouth.

Contact the local Waikato-based team today to discuss your architectural needs.

Te Kotahi Oranga Health and Wellness Centre - Te Pūkenga

Esse Architects completed the full scope of architectural services for the new student-assisted clinic as an extension of the existing Hub Building on the Rotokauri Campus. Careful consideration of the existing structure and interior design was required to ensure a seamless connection between the existing building and the new extension. First of its kind in the Waikato, the one-stop clinic provides the community with accessible healthcare while giving ākonga an authentic educational experience in a real-life setting.

University of Waikato - M Block foyer upgrade

Concept design for the upgrade to the lower level foyer of M Block at the University of Waikato. Due to seismic upgrade requirements a new concrete sheer wall will run through the existing foyer, blocking access between the lift and main staircase. Design consideration was given to way finding, natural lighting and coherence between the foyer spaces

391 Victoria Street Building Remediation

SCNZ Award for Excellence in Steel Construction [2019]

This building is a 1970’s Brutalist terraced building that had extreme weather tightness issues and is situated in Victoria Street in the heart of Hamilton. The existing 7 storey building has retail spaces along the ground floor, parking on the first floor accessed via the rear lane and 30 apartments including penthouse apartment units with panoramic views.

This project was completed in July 2019. Peter Hunt was the Project Architect. Esse was able to deliver a satisfactory outcome on this project. Esse Architects became involved in this project when another firm approached us to assist them as they were in trouble being able to deliver the architectural drawings and documentation. This firm subsequently closed the architectural division of their practice and Esse was requested to take over this project.

The University of Waikato - CHSS Re- Roofing and Entrance Upgrade Project

Institutional Project

The CHSS building is the Universities medical clinic building. Esse Architects was able to deliver a success outcome to a relatively complex project while the project remained operational during the construction work.

Eat Streat - Rotorua

NZIA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Award-Public Architecture [2016]

NZ Wood Design-Highly Commended for Exterior Innovation & Infrastructure [2015]

“Eat Streat” is a pedestrian precinct in Rotorua, which was created by pedestrianising an average shopping street and creating a sheltered and dynamic arcade solution. The structure was inspired by Rotorua’s strong ‘Timber One Policy’, history and heritage.

The project required an enormous amount of innovation and has been so successful that the Rotorua Council is considering implementing something similar in another part of the town.

Te Puia - Rotorua

Cultural + Heritage Projects

The scope of works included concept design for arrival lounge, new restaurant, Wharenui façade and frontage rebuild, new Puhara, Weaving School remodelling, Matatini, multi-purpose space and Wharenui façade Ohakea. Esse design team worked closely with the client to ensure the project was in keeping with the traditional values of the facility.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology – Te Tahuhuroa O Ihenga – Rotorua

Institutional Project

Esse was awarded the project following an open design competition to create a concept for the new Māori Studies building at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology; the site sits in close proximity to the campus Marae.

The unique shape of the building is derived from the concept of the ancestral shark, named Te Arawa, resulting in the building revolving round a curved tahuhu (spine) that runs both physically and visually through the building, not only linking the spaces throughout the facility, but also focusing the facility, and campus, towards the Tangatarua Marae.

Esse’s design team felt that it was necessary for the concept of Te Wananga a Ihenga to illustrate an awareness and understanding of the Wairua (spirit) of the people that would come together in this building. The use of glass and exposed roof rafters of the spine can be seen to demonstrate the entry of knowledges into the building. This entry of knowledge is representative of the many cultures that will use the building, as well as demonstrating the story of the ‘three baskets of knowledge’.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology – National Centre of Excellence for the Forest & Wood Industry – Rotorua

Institutional Project

Winner of the NZ Wood – Timber Design Awards 2008

The design was to reflect the character and identity of Māori architectural typology; hence the architecture has a strong Polynesian character and relates to the Whakarewarewa.

The intricate timber detailing in the exterior roof canopy and interior spaces was to contemporise the traditional Māori language and achieve a degree of sustainability in the design.

The University of Waikato – Silverdale Road Student Apartments

Institutional Project

Esse Architects were instrumental in putting a team together for this project. The project required the maximum number of self-contained student apartments within an allocated budget to be accommodated on two adjoining sites. This necessitated simple but tasteful design that was cost effective, robust, and easily maintained. Esse focused on the creation of units that would best suit student living, and which would assist the University in attracting students to their campus.

Esse’s concept focused on achieving sun into every living space to enhance the areas. Lessons learnt from other student projects that we had worked on were adopted on this project, which resulted in our team winning the competition.

Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort - Rotorua

Esse was commissioned by Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort to convert the existing motel. The dilapidated and architecturally outdated building was required to be renovated to a five-star resort and spa.

The completed building successfully managed the many amenities the client desired. By carefully utilising the existing buildings and strategically positioning the newer building on site, Esse managed to separate the different facilities provided by the resort. This permitted the architects to isolate the private realm, to the more public spaces and functions of the resort and spa. The new extension and upgrade takes advantage of the spectacular views of the lake and pools that resemble the natural landscape.

The restaurant and bar is located in front of the accommodation, while the new extended wings house the spa area and living facilities. Separate entrances and secluded courtyards between these spaces allow the private and public spaces to co-exist successfully.

Concept Design - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

Designed to be a new flagship office building for the Northland Marine research Centre in Bream Bay to accommodate NIWA staff and visitors to the research center. Recently completed, Esse Architects provided full architectural services for this project