Noho Lakeside Hotel
Sector: Commercial / Civic
Location: Rotorua
Status: In Progress
Architect Partner: In association with Plus Architecture
The design of the Noho hotel is deeply rooted in Kaupapa Māori principles, guided by a project-specific Te Ao Māori framework that shapes site planning, orientation, and form. This approach ensures a design response grounded in traditional values, drawing inspiration from the Marae and its inherent manaakitanga – embodying generosity, hospitality, and communal connection.
The main entry spine integrates key elements such as the waharoa (gateway), ātea (marae courtyard), and gathering spaces, aligned along a "first and last light" axis. The arrangement of buildings and outdoor areas celebrates cultural practices like the warmth of fire and the formal welcome of pōwhiri. Rather than replicating a marae, the design embodies Ngāti Whakaue values to craft a distinctive tangata whenua (indigenous) visitor experience, unique within Aotearoa New Zealand.
The site is thoughtfully organised: the main entry sits at the lower end, communal "meet and eat" functions occupy a central shared volume, and accommodation rises to the upper levels. A traditional waharoa marks the entrance, while the building adopts a scalloped courtyard typology – echoing the protective palisades of a marae and sheltering visitors from Rotorua’s cold winter winds. At the heart of the design narrative lies the legendary love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, symbolising unity and resilience. The two primary building forms embrace the shared public and reception spaces, reflecting the union of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, which gave rise to the Ngāti Whakaue hapū. Hinemoa’s calabashes inspire soft, flowing forms and patterns throughout, mirroring the scalloped arcs of Rotorua’s lakefront boardwalk and its gentle lake edge.
The design weaves in the tāniko pattern from the neighboring Wai Ariki spa’s roof profile, acknowledging the relationship between the two structures – a balance of male (Wai Ariki) and female (Noho) energies. This pattern, symbolizing Ngāti Whakaue’s connection to the sea and Hinemoa’s swim across Lake Rotorua to Mokoia Island, informs solar shading for the rooms and enriches interior textures and patterns. Feathered solar screens encircling the facade evoke the grace, beauty, and status of Hinemoa, inspired by the flight of the kāhu kōrako (white hawk). These elements embody manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (kinship), and aroha (love), qualities championed by wāhine rangatira (women of rank). The soft, feathered forms temper the bold, masculine lines of Wai Ariki, fostering a harmonious lakefront precinct.
“Ultimately, the Noho hotel offers a uniquely Rotorua experience – rich, textured, and steeped in Te Ao Māori. It forges a profound connection to the land, culture, and people, inviting visitors into a narrative of place and identity unlike any other.”