Wynyard Quarter Architecture Shines at 2025 NZIA Auckland Architecture Awards

The Karanga Changing Sheds and the SeaLink Ferry Terminal building were both recognized for their innovative and impactful designs, each reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility and community identity.

Fiona Knox, Priority Location Director for the waterfront at Eke Panuku, praised the recognition of both projects, highlighting how they reflect the broader vision for Auckland’s waterfront development.

“From the Karanga Changing Sheds to the SeaLink Ferry Terminal, these thoughtfully designed structures embody our goal of creating welcoming, enduring spaces that celebrate Tāmaki Makaurau’s waterfront identity,” Fiona said.

Eke Panuku takes great pride in the quality of its design and development work. These projects exemplify the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that the regeneration of council-owned land—often in collaboration with development partners—is not only functional and sustainable, but beautiful and, in this case, award-winning

Karanga Changing Sheds: A Sustainable Approach to Urban Design 

Small in scale but rich in its environmental impact, the Karanga Changing Sheds, designed by Pac Studio, offer swimmers at the newly constructed Karanga Harbour Plaza pool a beautifully designed, functional space to change. The sheds are constructed using upcycled volcanic timber and custom roof panels made from discarded fishing nets and plastic bags, merging sustainability with aesthetic appeal.  

The judging panel praised the sheds for their playful and colourful approach to sustainable design, noting how the modular structures integrate recycled materials, including timber shingles and panels crafted from ocean plastics. Judges highlighted that the project embraces a circular economy model, ensuring the materials used are reusable, with minimal environmental impact, and that the initiative not only meets immediate needs but also sets a precedent for sustainable urban interventions. 

They also said Karanga Changing Sheds embody sustainable design with a carbon-positive ethos, demonstrating how temporary urban structures can positively contribute to both the environment and the urban experience.  

SeaLink Ferry Terminal: Maritime and Māori Influences Combine 

The SeaLink Ferry Terminal building, located on Hamer Street, is another award-winning project that celebrates both functionality and design. In preparation for the 36th America’s Cup, SeaLink relocated its operations from Wynyard Wharf to the new Hamer Street site, repurposing a disused boatyard into a striking new terminal. 

Designed by Architectus, this stunning building draws inspiration from Auckland’s maritime environment and Māori narratives, making it a key feature in the industrial port landscape. The textured concrete ground floor evokes the form of a seawall, while the upper levels are enveloped in a folded metal screen, mimicking the appearance of sheet piling. 

Judges described the SeaLink Ferry Terminal as a strong, poetic presence in its industrial setting. The perforated metal screen, designed by local mana whenua artists Maaka Potini and Ted Ngataki (Ngāti Tamaoho), tells the story of the building’s maritime context, linking the structure to the surrounding environment in a meaningful way. The building’s design, while practical, elegantly expresses its purpose and cultural significance. 

The judges said the SeaLink building transcends its functional role as a transport hub, with a design that poetically references its maritime surroundings and Māori heritage.