Oriental Bay Pavilion

This project was a competition entry with the design team: Murtada Alkaabi, Umut Turkmen, Mike Pennings and Justin Vermeulen.
The Jury Panel: Andy Thomson(President OBRA), Diane Brand (Prof. University of Auckland) and Harris Maragkos (director AECOM).
This competition was published and rewarded by being selected as one of the nominees by the jury panel, October 2016.

AGAINST THE TIDE

While the sea walls along the Oriental Bay protect Wellington from the brute natural forces that arise from the sea, it moreover performs as an edge to guide public movement along its vast boulevards. After actively investing in the Oriental Bay beach as a public hotspot, the barrier has successfully transformed into a mediator between the built and the unbuilt. On an urban scale the sea wall gently swerves along the coastal line until it is pulled into the characteristic horse-shoe footprint, right at the Oriental Parade.

THE TALE OF TIME

In 1900, before anything was built, the concrete shoreline performed as an edge to guide public movement. The original ‘Band Rotunda’ constructed in 1920 has been the embodiment of cultural and architectural zeitgeist, but was transferred away from the capital’s indefatigable winds. The modernistic interference from the 80’s resulted in a disconnect between the pavilion and the boulevard. This 2020’s proposal aims to re-establish the qualities of the place by expanding the boulevard and offers shelter to the extreme weather conditions.

Contrary to the impressive panorama that is offered all along the boulevard, the landmark seeks a strong connection with the promenade. As monolithic and smooth as the concrete skin seems to be from afar – getting closer to the pavilion – the interior exposes itself as an intimate and transparent place maker.