Architectural Ecology

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds

OROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY VISITOR CENTRE

Architectural Ecology

LOCATION
Dunedin, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Visitor Center

YEAR
2010

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds

Text description provided by architect.

The Otago Natural History Trust is focused on providing an area of native forest where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds

The Trust has established a mainland island and sanctuary just north of Dunedin.

The client asked for a truly New Zealand building – something that fits into the landscape. This visitor centre is about the interpretation of this place and the discovery of landscape as a repository of unique flora, fauna and histories of local people.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds

As with all New Zealand landscapes, microclimate defines not only the soil types, plants and animals but also how we live and build.

The Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre is located on the upper slopes of Mopanui and Mihiwaka. The site is typically misty and the vegetation is described as a ‘Cloud Forest’.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds

There can be high winds throughout the seasons with snow and ice in winter. In summer, droughts are not uncommon.

The design and construction of the visitor centre is an attempt to respond to these conditions and to answer the user needs.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds


Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
© Patrick Reynolds


Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Plan
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Diagrams
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Screens
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Model


Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Seminar Section
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre
Section

Architectural Ecology
T +64 3 4821999
Architectural Ecology
Consultancy House Level 6/7 Bond Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand