The brief – deliver experiences within Te Ara Ātea that weave together and reflect the established and growing communities of Selwyn District through stories of people, place and journeys.
We provided – spatial design | graphic design | content development | digital design + production + development | production + installation | delivery management
Te Ara Ātea (the unobstructed trail to the world beyond), is a place of discovery, community gathering and sharing knowledge within Rolleston’s developing town centre. It incorporates a library, café, tamariki space and community rooms, as well as exhibition spaces where stories, taonga and art from the region are shared.
Te Ara Ātea is a place that engenders inclusion, discovery and pride for all residents of the Selwyn district.
We were responsible for the design, development and production of aspects throughout the building including exhibition areas, activities in the tamariki space, entrance features, wayfinding and immersive storytelling. We worked closely with the Selwyn District Council Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning team, Te Taumutu Rūnanga, architects Warren and Mahoney, Canterbury Museum, local heritage groups, artists, and community members.
Notable elements include the complex large-scale, immersive projection on the ground floor celebrating the district’s environment and seasons. It includes work by artist Nathan Pohio and imagery inspired by artist Cath Brown, as well as commissioned 8k footage of the region. The projection spans a 30-metre surface, is mapped to the architecture and plays a 12-hour experience.
In the Waka Huia space, photogrammetry undertaken in collaboration with Te Taumutu Rūnanga and Canterbury Museum has made precious taonga accessible for all. Visitors can explore and zoom-in on expertly photogrammed 3D images, as well as finding out more about the whakapapa of these taonga.
A specially designed textured carpet brought to life by Christchurch rug makers Dilana illustrates the mountains to sea and provides a sensory experience for all tamariki.