What’s On

Ethan Reid, landscape architect, will walk and talk ticket holders through the post-industrial character, the design inspiration, how industrial elements were repurposed, and how flexible and adaptable the space is.

Ethan Reid, landscape architect, will walk and talk ticket holders through the post-industrial character, the design inspiration, how industrial elements were repurposed, and how flexible and adaptable the space is.

"Faradays was an opportunity to exploit the latent beauty of an old building shell whilst reimagining what a luxury retail experience could feel like, an elegant collision of tradition and invention."

An incredible fitout - allow George Gregory and Emily Priest of Cheshire take you on their design journey that landed them with making almost everything in the space; the plinths, ottomans, change room mirrors, dining tables, light fittings and even the curtain clips. All these pieces are set against the soft neutral backdrop of a fabric surface, acting as a thread that ties together luxury and rawness, the machine-made and the hand-crafted. Further enhanced by its curated art collection with the assistance of Gow Langsford.

An intimate guided tour followed by seated design presentation.

Panel discussion led by magazine creator, publisher and editor-in-chief of Island Magazine, Adam Bryce exploring the diverse range of graphic design applications across print medium with Eva Charlton from Extended Whānau Design Agency, who designed ‘Rewi’ Toi Tū Toi Ora book, and the identity for the Matariki Public Holiday; Nick Riley from Non-fiction brand identity and graphic design specialist and others including James Goggin from Practise Theory and up and comer Aakifa Chida. This event promises to be an insightful exploration into the intersection of design, creativity, functionality, and storytelling in the world of publishing.

Brown vs Brown is NZ's first full length architecture film produced by Simon Mark-Brown, containing beautiful archive footage and contemporary shots of modernist buildings.

“The doco explores the change in architectural aspirations after World War II reflecting how families wanted to live and interact in their home, while exploring the tensions between two competing modernist architect groups.”

Filmmaker Simon is the son of the late mid-century modernist architect Peter Mark-Brown, who the doco is about, and will be joining attendees for this private screening, followed by a meet and greet and Q&A presented by Terrazzo & Stone.

Designed by Cheshire Architects, Studio Red was conceived as a modern sanctuary with a day-spa like ambience. Think tall, generous spaces, polished concrete floors, discrete lighting, and beautifully appointed dressing rooms. The studio itself features fragrant cedar lining, the highest quality German flooring, sophisticated temperature control systems, ventilation and acoustic controls to maintain the peacefulness of the practice space; helping it to evolve from a successful studio into a multi-faceted wellness home with expertise in meditation, breathwork, movement practices, tea tastings and beyond.

Join DJ Tai from Cheshire Architects and former-Viva Editor Amanda Linnell as they discuss the design inspiration and execution; followed by a restorative Yin yoga practise led by qualified yoga teacher Nathan Reynolds (no need to get changed out of your work clothes!). Nathan also owns and operates Fortified Construction and has a history of working on projects with Pip Cheshire.

A panel event with leading circular economy representatives to discuss how we reduce construction and other waste through design, the importance of lifecycle embodied carbon, and other innovative products and technology being used to transform plastic waste into beautiful, low carbon and endlessly recyclable materials that will empower the next generation of buildings and designers. Including Jayden from Anew, Rui from Critical, Hilary from Pheonix Metals and Amanda and Maria from Aurecon.

How do you entice your client to move out of their comfort zone? When you take a brief from a new client and it is S A F E. Is it another version of white on white, or are they fixated on the re-sale value of their home? Come and hear what our team of experts have to say on how to coax your client over to the wild side... or at least to see the potential a professional can add. The panel is hosted by Rachel Smith-Robb, coordinator of the Nanette Cameron School of Interior Design, joined by interior designer, Janice Kumar-Ward of JKW Interior Architecture and Design, architect Lisa Day of Day Architects and artist Grace Wright of Grace Wright Studio. Each of these talented members look beyond the brief and deliver concepts that stretch their clients and deliver beautiful results.

Designed by Cheshire Architects, Studio Red was conceived as a modern sanctuary with a day-spa like ambience. Think tall, generous spaces, polished concrete floors, discrete lighting, and beautifully appointed dressing rooms. The studio itself features fragrant cedar lining, the highest quality German flooring, sophisticated temperature control systems, ventilation and acoustic controls to maintain the peacefulness of the practice space; helping it to evolve from a successful studio into a multi-faceted wellness home with expertise in meditation, breathwork, movement practices, tea tastings and beyond.

Join DJ Tai from Cheshire Architects and former-Viva Editor Amanda Linnell as they discuss the design inspiration and execution; followed by a restorative Yin yoga practise led by qualified yoga teacher Nathan Reynolds (no need to get changed out of your work clothes!). Nathan also owns and operates Fortified Construction and has a history of working on projects with Pip Cheshire.

Expected to be one of our most popular activities in the Auckland Design Week programme; our industry partner and sponsor Cosentino presents NZ’s favourite private chef Hercules Noble. Attendees will be entertained by Herc’s charm as he live-prepares bold and brave edible creations; whilst being simultaneously wowed by the incredible durability of Cosentino’s finishes.

Hosted by Tile Space Parnell, we bring you a powerhouse trio of Alex's to discuss how you can be bold, brave, or both with more permanent design choices. Painting a wall in a bright colour that can be easily changed is one thing; but choosing a patterned tile, a colourful tap, or a modern profiled wall panelling can be daunting if you're not confident in your design choices. Come and hear from Alex Fulton, Alex McLeod and Alex Walls on how they integrate bold and brave elements into interior design in a way that balances boundary pushing and timeliness, whilst creating a space that's a true reflection of the occupants personality.

We have a unique, tech forward Roller blind range that centres around smart home automation, allowing designers and consumers to automatically activate / regulate the temperatures in their space, thus reducing energy consumption.

Step inside The Hotel Britomart and be inspired by its design story, lead by DJ Tai of Cheshire Architects.

“As a building, The Hotel Britomart is a 10-storey object crafted from hand-made clay bricks, its rough surface punctuated by a constellation of sleekly glazed windows, its mass appearing to hover weightlessly over an urban tapestry of cobbled lanes and dockside warehouse.”

Cheshire’s design response was to create a hotel that feels as if it belongs to Aotearoa and its people, not just the guests who stay there. They dedicated themselves to creating a deep sense of craftsmanship not typically associated with contemporary buildings of this scale. The aim was for the architecture, interiors; and heritage buildings to feel seamlessly integrated into a five green-star building ecosystem. The Hotel Britomart is NZ’s first and only 5 Green-Star hotel as certified by NZ Green Building Council.

Lead by Ethan Reid of LandLAB, walk along this immersive, emergent, dynamic and memorable waterfront street and hear about the overlapping ecologies of nature, city, economy and culture at the intersection of ‘Tāmaki’ (city) and the ‘Waitematā’ (sea). An innovative, sustainable and adaptable street that reveals its past, provides a catalyst for it’s future and seeds a new dynamic waterfront destination for Tāmaki Makaurau. The conceptual design generators for Quay Street are informed and influenced by the sites underlying geology, cultural history and layers of landscape, city, economy and culture. A flexible surface for urban/waterfront life and strategic activation through the weaving, folding and layering of spaces and materials. Conceived as a layered spatial and graphically field that. The field is non-directional, and – like a tukutuku pattern – tells a story of the site/place that is informed by its landscape, urban and cultural context. This ‘field’ as continuous, multiple, and dynamic layers contribute to the multi-levels of people.

The evening will explore how intentional design choices can transcend physical spaces, fostering deeper connections and enriching human experiences. Through inspiring examples and insightful commentary, participants will gain a profound understanding of the transformative power of design in creating environments that nurture authentic connections, promote well-being, and elevate the human spirit. Panel includes Anna Hill from Jasmax, Ken Sin from MAKE Architects and Alexander Wastney from Designwell.

How can we compete with international competition at home? A panel discussion that explores how the bright and best of kiwi design and innovation are competing against international suppliers. Focusing on sustainability, lead-times, price and how we can learn from other countries such as Denmark on investing in own talent and purchasing products that last a lifetime.

Lead by Ethan Reid of LandLAB, walk along this immersive, emergent, dynamic and memorable waterfront street and hear about the overlapping ecologies of nature, city, economy and culture at the intersection of ‘Tāmaki’ (city) and the ‘Waitematā’ (sea). An innovative, sustainable and adaptable street that reveals its past, provides a catalyst for it’s future and seeds a new dynamic waterfront destination for Tāmaki Makaurau. The conceptual design generators for Quay Street are informed and influenced by the sites underlying geology, cultural history and layers of landscape, city, economy and culture. A flexible surface for urban/waterfront life and strategic activation through the weaving, folding and layering of spaces and materials. Conceived as a layered spatial and graphically field that. The field is non-directional, and – like a tukutuku pattern – tells a story of the site/place that is informed by its landscape, urban and cultural context. This ‘field’ as continuous, multiple, and dynamic layers contribute to the multi-levels of people.

Step inside The Hotel Britomart and be inspired by its design story, lead by DJ Tai of Cheshire Architects.

“As a building, The Hotel Britomart is a 10-storey object crafted from hand-made clay bricks, its rough surface punctuated by a constellation of sleekly glazed windows, its mass appearing to hover weightlessly over an urban tapestry of cobbled lanes and dockside warehouse.”

Cheshire’s design response was to create a hotel that feels as if it belongs to Aotearoa and its people, not just the guests who stay there. They dedicated themselves to creating a deep sense of craftsmanship not typically associated with contemporary buildings of this scale. The aim was for the architecture, interiors; and heritage buildings to feel seamlessly integrated into a five green-star building ecosystem. The Hotel Britomart is NZ’s first and only 5 Green-Star hotel as certified by NZ Green Building Council.

Engage in a multi sensory presentation showcasing HARO's product range. Bringing inspring case studies which have pushed previous design boundaries whilst encapulating HARO's strong sustainability commitment. Reinvigorating the "plank" to creative and unique applications of parquet, wall features and ceiling solutions.

Inside two heritage warehouses in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant Britomart precinct, Arup New Zealand is working with Unispace to set a benchmark in leadership across energy usage, regenerative fit-out design, and storytelling with its new 6,500 square foot office space. To date, there are no global interior fit-out projects that are Living Building Challenge certified. Arup expects to be one of the first globally - and the first in New Zealand - when they complete the LBC's audit requirements. Cultural Advisors Te Manu Taupua and Britomart precinct owners and developers Coopers and Company join Arup and Unispace for a panel discussion showcasing Arup’s unique office design, the Living Building Challenge and what this project means for the future of sustainable office design, and the creation of net positive spaces across New Zealand.

Aurecon, an international design, engineering and advisory company, sought to design their new Auckland workplace to reflect their company culture: To believe it. Say it. Do it. Warren and Mahoney’s interior design team and Advanced Indigenous Design Unit – Te Matakīrea - worked alongside members of Aurecon’s He Rautaki Māori rōpū to ensure the project connected with people and place. This process resulted in a collaboration with local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Te Aroha Grace of Figure Group to discover co-design opportunities within the project. After several workshops, the narrative of The Curious Adventurer was created, weaving together the inquisitive and innovative approach that Aurecon bring to their work and acknowledging the original migration and settlement of Tamaki Makaurau from the waka that landed here centuries ago.

Kovacs are dedicated to working toward a sustainable future and improving the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of our community. This approach is part of their ethos and is embodied within their sustainability statement and guiding principles. These principles include aspects such as Whole of Life View, Stewardship and Value of People. Their discussion will explore the relationship between this intent and their creative and practical influences in manufacturing. Whilst raising awareness of this deliberate and conscious direction, they will invite discussions from related industries that are doing extraordinary work. Joined by Liz Mitchell and Ashe Seatter.

An all-female panel exploring the intersection of art and architecture and the role each has to play within the context of our built environment.

Creative Directors of leading textile brands Mokum and James Dunlop, Steph and Annie come together to take you behind the scenes on their textile development journey; sharing the creative process behind how the design studios curate global trends, factor in performance demands, customise colour to represent our local aesthetic and deliver world class textile ranges to global design community.

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion led by esteemed creative director, stylist and fashion editor of Viva and other leading voices from the New Zealand fashion industry as we explore the future fashion landscape – engaging conversations and unique perspectives on the intersection of creativity and innovation in the design process.

Kayla Gordine seamlessly integrates Te Ao Māori into her multifaceted career as an Artist, Speaker, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga and Group Fitness Instructor. She shares her creative expression through singing, songwriting, and musical endeavours as Kayla Jade. At the heart of her business, Āwhina Wellness, lies the harmonious convergence of Music and Wellness. Here, she crafts immersive experiences that captivate the mind, invigorate the body, and awaken the senses. Using sound as a central focus, Kayla facilitates an enhanced state of presence whilst equipping individuals with tools and practices for nurturing self-worth, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing. Join Kayla for a biophilia themed meditation / yoga / sound experience plus a focused talk around how to integrate and embody qualities of nature into every day wellness, all in the beautiful setting of our biophilia inspired Design Depot.

ADW has partnered with furniture, interiors and product showrooms to provide a stage for designers spanning various disciplines – spatial, architectural, interiors, product, fashion and more – from all over Tāmaki Makaurau to showcase their work in a distinctive and engaging way. Travel through our 18 partner venues across our three Design Districts (Grey Lynn, Parnell, Mt Eden / Uptown) on designated event transport to experience feature installations that blend these various design disciplines to create a dynamic and immersive experience for you, the ticketholder – all whilst showcasing the prowess of our design community.

Objectspace is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading gallery dedicated to the fields of design, craft and architecture. It seeks to invigorate exhibition making, support and discourse in these fields, and to provide a wealth of opportunities to engage and expand knowledge of material cultures. On Saturday 16th March a new exhibition in collaboration with Melbourne based Esther Stewart opens to the public; with a preview viewing and meet and greet offered to ADW ticketholders this Friday afternoon. Esther Stewart creates paintings and installations that both harness and challenge the visual languages of architecture, design and geometry. Her art practice explores ways of re-imagining, collapsing and expanding spaces through painting and architecture while also examining historical influences and sociopolitical contexts.

Critical are a growing clean technology startup that transform plastic waste into Cleanstone - their range of beautiful, durable, 100% recycled plastic panels for building fit outs. It's virtually indestructible, near carbon neutral and at the end of life they take back all Cleanstone including offcuts to turn into new Cleanstone, endlessly. Over 10 years ago when working as an architect, Rui struggled to find sustainable building materials that were also beautiful, refined and durable. Frustrated with his experience, Rui and a team of engineers and material scientists rolled up their sleeves and built the technology to solve this problem from scratch, right here in Aotearoa. Critical. is a company by designers for designers and during this tour, you will get to see step by step how Critical. turn plastics destined for landfill, into Cleanstone!

ADW has partnered with furniture, interiors and product showrooms to provide a stage for designers spanning various disciplines – spatial, architectural, interiors, product, fashion and more – from all over Tāmaki Makaurau to showcase their work in a distinctive and engaging way. Travel through our 18 partner venues across our three Design Districts (Grey Lynn, Parnell, Mt Eden / Uptown) on designated event transport to experience feature installations that blend these various design disciplines to create a dynamic and immersive experience for you, the ticketholder – all whilst showcasing the prowess of our design community.