The Lab

Overview

The Lab is a project space for a joint project between the architecture and spatial design faculties of AUT University, The University of Auckland and UNITEC. Working alongside students, local academics, designers and architects are developing a series of three week-long interdisciplinary design projects.

The current project is a celebration of the history, identity and culture of Tamaki’s mana whenua in light of recent significant Iwi treaty settlements. A Matariki Paparewa, a traditional Maori structure, has recently been installed down at Silo Park. These structures acted as the centrepiece at large hui and were traditionally used to store food for guests and to display the mana of the hosts. Built by students of Unitec's Te Hononga Maori Architecture Studio, the Matariki Paparewa will be the first to appear in Auckland in 170 years.

The Lab is part of The 5th Auckland Triennial.