Toi Ohomai Waipa Wood Processing Workshop

DCA won the open design competition for this project. The concept was informed by the two distinct functional requirements of timber workshop and academic spaces. The metaphor of saw milling was used, where cutting “divides” or “separates”. The plan and elevation inform this idea with the central circulation and ventilation space as the “blade” and separator. The all-timber structure uses locally developed and pioneered timber components including some world first engineering technology with the STIC quick connect portal frames. The building uses Solar water, rainwater harvesting, and automated passive ventilation systems.