Client Department of Conservation
Project Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
Location Kauaeranga Valley, RD2 Thames
Completed 2008
This project was initiated from the destruction by fire of an existing building. The brief required the existing building location to be retained and to juxtapose to native bush with an open valley to the North providing spectacular views of the bush clad topography.
The location is remote and the facility provides for a public information and education centre for tourists and visitors to the Kauaeranga Valley. An aerated waste water system is incorporated and recyclable waste is processed and distributed back into the surrounding forest area through irrigation drip lines. Catchment off the large internal gutter terminates into collection tanks for retention of water which is used within the amenity. A solar hot water heating system has been installed.
The area is known for its history in Kauri logging with numerous dam structures utilised to move kauri logs out of the valley. The entrance to the visitor was influenced by these large dams grounding the building into it's natural and historic landscape.
Exterior
