Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery Living Roof
Whangārei, New Zealand
10,549 sf Greenroof
(Video)

Greenroofs.com Featured Project August 27, 2024

Graphic by Greenroofs.com: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hundertwasser_nz_1998_hg.jpg, © Hannes Grobe / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/, modified the material; Screenshot of HUNDERTWASSER ART CENTRE Experience || WHANGAREI || NORTHLAND, NEW ZEALAND by Family Side Trip video

As we finalize preparations to journey back to New Zealand for the World Green Infrastructure Congress (WGIC) 2024, we look forward to seeing colleagues, learning about the many living green architecture projects from around the world, and going on a private tour to the spectacular Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery Living Roof!

Located about 2 hours north of Auckland, Whangārei is a city of adventure, culture and natural beauty. It’s the perfect setting for this amenity, bio-roof, cultural and ecological intensive greenroof, highlighting the special character and the unique location of the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Tree Tenant, Vienna Ink and watercolour on paper, Hundertwasser Art Centre and “Tenant trees” of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

We’ll be sure to share new photos and videos when we return ~ kudos to so many people who were involved in this community-led project, and a very special nod goes out to the late Friedensreich Hundertwasser himself, famously known for stating “Tree Tenants Are the Ambassadors of the Free Forests in the City.”

Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery Drone Aerial Photograph. Image: Richard Smart courtesy © Hundertwasser Non Profit Foundation

Excerpt from Greenroofs.com Project Profile:

An artwork in itself, Whangārei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery is a legacy of the Austrian artist and activist. Located in the flourishing fine arts district, the award-winning Center contains a gallery of 80 Hundertwasser artworks and includes New Zealand’s first and only contemporary Māori art gallery.

The living roof concept was designed by Hundertwasser, the detail design by Zoë Avery and Renee Davies with design input and oversight from the Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation and Springmann Architecture, alongside soil scientist Robyn Simcock, and HB Architecture.

Hundertwasser sketch of the new art centre: https://www.hundertwasserartcentre.co.nz/ Image: © courtesy Hundertwasser Non Profit Foundation

Image: HB Architecture via Facebook

Completed in 2022, it has been designed to reflect Hundertwasser’s belief in the importance of integrating nature into the built environment. Input from iwi and community stakeholders ensured the project met its intended goals.

The living roof afforestation design was driven by the concept of giving this space back to nature where you would feel like a guest of nature on the roof. The forest plantings have been set randomly, wild with spontaneous vegetation beneath the trees.

Hundertwasser Art Centre, NZ. Image: © Courtesy of Zoe Avery, The Urbanist

Types of New Zealand native Northland specific plants here are offshore island, threatened, endangered or rare species, with a diverse mix of exotic fruiting trees. Substrates were locally sourced pumice, zeolite and organic matter. The living roof creates a rich habitat for plants and insects & birds, fostering a thriving ecosystem that supports biodiversity. The landmark living roof is home to the rarest tree in the world: the Three Kings Kaikomako.

An interlocking network of cells maintains the substrate, trees & drainage on the 1:4 slope. Utilizing 40,000 reclaimed bricks and 1,600m3 of recycled indigenous timber from the original structure, the center also integrated 5,000 repurposed pavers and 3,000m2 of tiles crafted locally. The spiral shaped ‘koru’ often used in Māori art symbolises creation.

Hundertwasser Art Centre, NZ. Image: © Courtesy of Zoe Avery, The Urbanist

More

Providing an interdisciplinary learning experience, elements of art, identity, architecture, and ecology are explored. With its colorful mosaics and undulating walls and floors, the Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery creates truly dramatic architecture.

A winding staircase leads to the 8-meter-tall gold leaf cupola on the afforested living roof, with seating to enjoy the peaceful oasis in the city. An architectural masterpiece and must-see art destination, visitors can take in 360° views of the living roof, the beautiful Town Basin marina, and spectacular Whangārei Harbor.

Image: Murray Brock courtesy © Hundertwasser Non Profit Foundation

Year: 2022
Owner: Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation
Location: Whangārei, New Zealand
Building Type: Industrial, Museum
Type: Intensive Greenroof
System: Custom
Size: 10,549 sq.ft.
Slope: 1:4
Access: Accessible, Private

Hundertwasser Art Centre via Facebook

Credits:

LIVING ROOF CONCEPT DESIGN:
FRIEDENSREICH HUNDERTWASSER

LIVING ROOF DESIGNER, THE URBANIST AND UOA:
ZOË AVERY

LIVING ROOF DESIGNER, 4SIGHT:
RENÉE DAVIES

SUBSTRATE DESIGN, LANDCARE RESEARCH:
DR ROBYN SIMCOCK

DESIGN INPUT & OVERSIGHT:
THE HUNDERTWASSER NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION AND SPRINGMANN ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECT, GRANT HARRIS:
HB ARCHITECTURE

PLANT SUPPLIER:
TAWAPOU COASTAL NATIVE NURSERY

Hundertwasser Art Centre via Facebook

See the Project Profile

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Image: Sam Harnett courtesy © Hundertwasser Non Profit Foundation

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By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher & Sky Gardens Studio Principal