The Wellington City Council approached us with a brief to design an urban community centre that would cater to the diverse needs of city-based residents in the Courtenay Place precinct. The vision was to create a welcoming community hub—a space where everyone could feel at home. It was designed to accommodate a variety of activities, including mothers' groups, exercise classes, support sessions, and social gatherings.

The available space, a long and narrow former retail outlet adjacent to Te Aro Park, presented unique design challenges. Our focus was on creating an environment with a domestic scale, offering a contrast to the apartment living that defines much of the surrounding community. The design aimed to capture the youthful energy of the area while fostering a sense of openness and inclusivity, ensuring the space would be for everyone.