Design Engine Architects

26/04/2026

An honour to make the shortlist Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards with Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health - Design Engine Architects - Mark Wassung & Abigail Wassung. Please share and comment.

Wrapping around the old building as a warm metallic shrug, the feather and flax korowai evokes prestige, honour, clinical and cultural sophistication, bathed in the warmth of copper kinetic colour. Transforming the 1985 building into the future. The waharoa entry portal is a welcoming gateway to the community. The Design is a fusion of art and architecture integrating pou, sculptures and wall paintings by Artist Mr. G (Graham Hoete). Accessible Design has been integrated throughout the building adding ramps, auto sliding doors, café/kitchen with wheelchair friendly counters, accessible ablutions and shower, new lift to activate the first floor which had been un-tenanted for years, plus visual transparency through vertical fin screen and glass panels. Adaptive reuse of the Building has actively confronted new compliance requirements for removal of hazardous materials (asbestos), safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, fire and aesthetic improvements. The building is in a known area for the homeless so the mental health services provide for community and wellbeing.

Thanks very much to the Project Team

Client: Cindy Mokomoko CEO Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai.
Builders: Arrowsmith Builders - Blair Arrowsmith Director, Aaron Hill Director, Logan Basham Project Manager, Ray Johnston Site Foreman, Ryan Pratt Quantity Surveyor.
Geotechnical/Structural/Fire Engineers: BCD Group Campbell Dawson Structural Engineer, Joseph Manalo Graduate Structural Engineer, Cameron Hyne Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, Joe Crawford Fire Engineer, Jeff Cai Graduate Fire Engineer.
Services Engineers: Innerscape Richard Ismay Electrical Engineer, Ali Alsoud Mechanical Engineer, Lovepreet Mavi Electrical Engineer.
Feature Screen: Asset Engineering Peter Hamilton Director, Craig Hamilton Director, Jacob Kuka Project Manager/Cad Designer.

Photographer: Samantha Myers Photography

26/04/2026

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

Thanks Samantha Myers Photography for your professionalism and creativity. Great working with you on Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga. Encourage all to do a drive by. Please share and comment.

25/04/2026

An honour to make the shortlist Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards with Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health - Design Engine Architects. Please share and comment.

16/04/2026

Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Shortlist - Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai - Mental Health Services 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga. Designed by Mark Wassung & Abigail Wassung Design Engine Architects Ltd. Please share and comment.

Wrapping around the old building as a warm metallic shrug, the feather and flax korowai evokes prestige, honour, clinical and cultural sophistication, bathed in the warmth of copper kinetic colour. Transforming the 1985 building into the future. The waharoa entry portal is a welcoming gateway to the community. The Design is a fusion of art and architecture integrating pou, sculptures and wall paintings by Artist Mr. G (Graham Hoete). Accessible Design has been integrated throughout the building adding ramps, auto sliding doors, café/kitchen with wheelchair friendly counters, accessible ablutions and shower, new lift to activate the first floor which had been un-tenanted for years, plus visual transparency through vertical fin screen and glass panels. Adaptive reuse of the Building has actively confronted new compliance requirements for removal of hazardous materials (asbestos), safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, fire and aesthetic improvements. The building is in a known area for the homeless so the mental health services provide for community and wellbeing.

Thanks very much to the Project Team

Client: Cindy Mokomoko CEO Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai.
Builders: Arrowsmith Builders - Blair Arrowsmith Director, Aaron Hill Director, Logan Basham Project Manager, Ray Johnston Site Foreman, Ryan Pratt Quantity Surveyor.
Geotechnical/Structural/Fire Engineers: BCD Group Campbell Dawson Structural Engineer, Joseph Manalo Graduate Structural Engineer, Cameron Hyne Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, Joe Crawford Fire Engineer, Jeff Cai Graduate Fire Engineer.
Services Engineers: Innerscape Richard Ismay Electrical Engineer, Ali Alsoud Mechanical Engineer, Lovepreet Mavi Electrical Engineer.
Feature Screen: Asset Engineering Peter Hamilton Director, Craig Hamilton Director, Jacob Kuka Project Manager/Cad Designer.

Photographer: Samantha Myers Photography