New Zealand

With this centre, there was a story to tell and together we found a way to communicate that story. I took inspiration from the traditional Cook Island houses with their straw roof shape to try and create a silhouette of the furniture pieces that was familiar. On the the locker doors we used the center’s logo and the art work from the center that tells the story of how the Cook Island people once came to New Zealand. We also engraved the play house. We used the lockers and storage units as dividers for the big open room that hosts all age groups, to separate the Infants from the Toddlers and Preschoolers. In the middle of the dividing wall we had tunnel seat units with a clear perspex window so that the separated age groups could still see and connect with each other.

Rouruina and her team have been so lovely to work with and truly inspirational. We have had great communication from the first day and she always had a clear idea of what she wanted to achieve and that story to tell, and that has made our work so much easier. The highlight was to come back to the centre and see it all finished. The centre is beautiful, warm, inviting and fun, both inside and outside. This will be a great place for the community. We wish you all the best for the future! – Elinor, Starex Designer