The enduring symbol of the korowai in the sky: dignity, gravitas and enduring mana
Federal Street
A Korowai in the sky
Contemplating a legacy project in your own city is a great privilege. In response, the team drew on proud local identity to inspire the concept – the enduring metaphor of the Korowai, or Māori cloak for the tower. The Korowai is a cherished symbol and gift. It is offered as the highest acknowledgment of achievement – those who wear the Korowai are recognised as having attained excellence in their chosen field.
The silhouette of the Korowai informs the tower’s mass and façade design, with a generous curve protecting the sky garden of the tower.
The sky garden, located at the tip of the tower, is conceived as an environment that is landscaped with native flora – a proud presentation of Aotearoa atop a symbol of elegance, dignity, and enduring value.
The podium
The layered sedimentary cliffs of Auckland’s famous Waitemata Harbour provided inspiration for the podium elements. It was conceived as ‘carved’ element – which is eroded to reveal an organic identity and create a curvaceous aperture for the hotel entrance. This ‘crevasse’ offers views into the full height hotel atrium – connecting guests to the pulse of the city.
Collective Effort
Collective Effort
