a long low profile public building on a concrete plinth surrounded by new zealand vegetation flax ferns tussock grasses urban setting the exterior features dark highly textural timber cladding resembling a skin charred or layered shingles with rich organic patterns a continuous band of dark subtly reflective glass wraps around the base etched or printed with abstract m ori and pasifika patterns the structure has a strong minimalist presence inspired by peter zumthor s architecture the atmosphere is moody soft dawn light conceptual slightly artistic evocative rendering style soft edges not too realistic ar 16 9 q 2 architecture