The design narrative begins with an abstract of the river, with the interior symbolising the journey of this river as it flows through Central and South Otago weaving a pathway to the Pacific Ocean. The story begins with the source of the river (Lake Wanaka), realised in the interior by the full scale double height entry foyer.
The interior spaces have been designed to sit alongside the river path with an egress route that runs through the building as two branches, one on each level. Each area within the building is seen as a riverside activity, designed as a series of huts to house each activity, whether it be a space to meet, a place of work, or a space to share food, learn and gather information, all of these areas are connected to each other through the building’s main pathway.
Visitors are persuaded to weave their way through the gallery space that flows from the main entry area; a large atrium stair way then invites one to explore the upper level where they are greeted by a large open atrium that has an interior viewing platform with a wonderful view of the mighty Mata-Au .
The riverbank is treelined which forms the basis of the materials specified for the interior; colours from all seasons inform the colour palette; shades of green spring leaves and the golden-brown tones of autumn highlight the inner spaces and reveal life on the mighty Mata-Au.
A main consideration for this building was for it to use sustainable products;
