Transformational Inner City Project Opens for Sneak Peek

Media Release Thursday 7 December 2016

Transformational Inner City Building Project Opens for Sneak Peek

The construction of Te Auaha - New Zealand Institute of Applied Creativity was halted temporarily today to allow Wellington's creative and arts community to have an exclusive behind the scenes viewing of the $23M+ internal fit out of the campus being built in the heart of Wellington's creative hub on Cuba/Dixon Streets.

Mark McGuinness Managing Director of Willis Bond & Co the developer of the overall build, valued at $70M, announced to the fifty strong crowd that he was incredibly proud of "this transformational project in inner city Wellington."

With more than 630,000kg of steel, 5,400 tonnes of concrete and piles that go deeper underground than the building is tall, Te Auaha is designed to 130% of the New Building Standard of the NZ Building Code.

"Once completed the total build which features the new six storey building housing Te Auaha and includes prime retail space will have a huge impact on Cuba and Dixon Streets. Without giving too much away before the campus opens I'm sure the Wellington creative and arts sector will be impressed with the development and in particular the cultural design features that are being led by leading Māori and Pasifika artist," said Roger Sowry Chair of Whitireia and WelTec - the tertiary education organisations that have established Te Auaha.

"Bringing an estimated 1000 students into the area when the facility opens early in 2018, the purpose-built campus will be the "jewel in the crown of New Zealand's creative capital and will be very appealing to both domestic and international students," says Chris Gosling Chief Executive of WelTec and Whitireia.

Fit-out architect Michael Melville highlighted the design elements of the campus currently being installed on level one including floating concrete floors under the 60-seat cinema, sprung floors for dance and performance spaces, and a 250-seat theatre which will enable Te Auaha students to showcase their work to the public.

"The latest in design and construction solutions are being applied to create fantastic acoustics for sound recording, music, and radio broadcasting. The ICT and environmental elements of the design enable modern learning practices and will greatly enhance the student experience," says Michael Melville.

Kate Louise Elliott General Manager of the Creative Capital Arts Trust responsible for Cuba Dupa and the Fringe Festival joined the sneak peek tour. She commented, "Wellington is an incredibly vibrant city. It is the events and festival capital of New Zealand. Te Auaha has huge potential to lift the vibrancy of our city even higher. From the walk-through today I can feel the strength of Te Auaha which already feels alive and working."

Te Kāhui Auaha which will be known as Te Auaha - New Zealand Institute of Applied Creativity will provide a world-class learning facility in Wellington. The name Te Kāhui Auaha means ‘to shape, create, form, fashion and innovate’ and reflects the exciting mix of programmes to be delivered in the campus. The campus will be a dynamic learning environment for students with world-class facilities that in addition to those areas viewed today will include photography studios, workshops for woodwork and fabrication for creative technologies, jewellery making and sculpture, hair and makeup studios plus digital labs for creative technologies.

ENDS

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For more details visit www.teauaha.com

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