Te Matapihi- Bulls Comunity Centre received a NZIA Western Architecture Award in the public architecture category. The awards ceremony was held at Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth, a very impressive venue (we pinched ourselves- were we even in parochial ole Taranaki?). We returned the next day to take in the genius of Len Lye and explore Paterson Architects skilful and disarmingly simple ramped exhibition spaces. Len Lye had a great interest in scale which Andrew has interpreted perfectly.

We celebrated at a dinner after the event at the Gusto Restaurant with good client turn out from Rangitikei District Council. Thank you to all our subconsultants for your collaboration and resilience on this project. CEO Peter Beggs praised the tenacity of our design group in getting the project across the line.

Judges Citation:

"This confident public community centre presides over the small and busy town of Bulls and fulfils a key project aspiration: to create a community centre located around a soon-to-be developed adjacent urban space. As well as housing most of the district council, the generous space is home to a new library, information centre, public ablutions and a 300-seat auditorium, while a striking rooftop deck offers views across the town. Wrapped in a screen that elevates the building's exterior and references local river terraces and a bridge, Te Matapihi signifies the beginning of a new civic centre for Bulls."

Bulls Community Centre

NZIA Western Architecture Awards Winners 2021