Photo Credit: Chris Bur (courtesy of MacKayCurtis Architects)
Porirua’s waterfront is continuing its dynamic development with the recent opening of Kai Tahi, a new community hub fostering food, culture and connection. Located behind Abandoned Brewery’s taproom on Parumoana St, this new dining and retail area introduces a lively environment for locals, revolving around a striking arcade structure, crafted with structural glulaminated timber supplied by Techlam, that forms the central architectural element of Kai Tahi.
The vision for Kai Tahi, driven by The Woolstore Group Ltd, aimed to establish a tangible link between Porirua’s town centre and the nearby harbour. This ambition has been achieved through the creation of a new arcade, where an intricate glulam structure takes centre stage. “The glulam structure is the key architectural feature of the new arcade, which consists of a complex glulam form that acts like a timber amphibian walking up from the sea towards the town centre,” explained Sam Curtis from MacKayCurtis Architects, in collaboration with CMA+U on the project.
Choosing glulam timber for the arcade was a strategic decision based on glulam’s both technical and aesthetic benefits. “The design team selected glulam timber for multiple reasons: structural strength of glulam, pre-fabrication tolerances and off-site fabrication quality control,” continued Curtis.
The engineered nature of glulam provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the design of expansive, unsupported spans and intricate geometrical forms like the Kai Tahi arcade’s curves. Thanks to the lamination process, it’s far more dimensionally stable than solid timber – critical for ensuring long term structural integrity as well as visual consistency.
Prefabrication of the glulam beams by Techlam at their Levin’s site was pivotal for the project’s success. “Due to the complex nature of the glulam joints, off-site prefabrication with specialised fabricators like Techlam was the only option for a fast and efficient construction and delivery programme, along with quality control. This resulted in time and cost savings,” stated Curtis.
“Also, the sophisticated 3D dimensional nature of the arcade structure required complex joints with well-defined tolerances, aesthetics and finish. The glulam is very prominent visually, down to ground level, so a high-quality architectural finish with no defects was paramount,” added Curtis. The natural beauty and warmth of timber contribute significantly to this ambiance. Moreover, the selection of glulam aligns with sustainability considerations, offering a lower carbon footprint alternative to materials like steel. There’s also the advantage of timber’s natural acoustic and biophilic properties, enhancing visitor comfort throughout enclosed spaces.
The precision achievable through Techlam’s prefabrication process, utilising digital modelling and CNC processing, ensured accurate dimensions and facilitated a smoother on-site assembly.
The Techlam team inputs and expertise in this area was particularly valuable for the Kai Tahi project. “Techlam’s expertise in creating complex timber joints with tight tolerances was a key to the success of the arcade structure. 3D BIM co-ordination with Techlam ensured construction was efficient due to all joint complexity being resolved before fabrication,” Curtis noted. This collaborative approach ensured that intricate design details were resolved prior to manufacturing, leading to an overall more efficient construction phase. “Communication with Techlam was smooth and effortless,” Curtis affirmed.
“Kai Tahi is a gift to the community and a step towards transforming Porirua’s waterfront,” concluded Curtis. The elegant strength and natural appeal of the glulam structure will undoubtedly contribute to the lasting impact of this significant development for the local community.
Kai Tahi opened on Matariki Day in 2024.
Read Techlam’s Case Study for Kai Tahi and see more photos here.
