cheshire arhitects' rore kahu pavilion celebrates the union of old and new worlds

in commemoration of the bicentenary of the historic first meeting between maori chief ruatara and reverend samuel marsden on oihi beach, new zealand, local studio cheshire architects has completed the rore kahu pavilion.

in commemoration of the bicentenary of the historic first meeting between maori chief ruatara and reverend samuel marsden on oihi beach, new zealand, local studio cheshire architects has completed the rore kahu pavilion. the complete project consists of two stages, one being the pavilion itself and the other involving the landscaping of planting various local plants linking a trail from the beach to the pavilion and parking area on top of the hillside. rore kahu’s design is based in the harmonized union of differing structures representing ‘neither chapel nor marae (maori meeting ground)’ but rather a new composite pavilion paying homage to both.

the cheshire architects‘-designed pavilion consists of two principle structures physically disjointed but working together to create a semi-enclosed space. forming the thick outer walls, rammed earth was used to create the curved tapering envelope which opens to provide views over the historic beach. a concrete floor steps down onto the grass leading visitors to wander down the vegetated path to the sand below. hovering above the earthen structure, an angular composite roof of carbon fiber and foam supported on free standing circular steel columns provides shade and protection from the elements without ever touching the rammed earth walls. named after the now extinct native eagle, rore kahu looks as a form soaring into the sky, merging traditional constructions with contemporary fabrications.