Te Ngaengae Pool and Fitness

BUILD

The Naenae Olympic Pool has undergone a major transformation and is set to reopen as Te Ngaengae Pool and Fitness Centre on 4 December 2024. The redevelopment features a 50-metre Olympic-sized pool equipped with state-of-the-art moveable floors and two bulkheads, allowing for flexible depth settings to accommodate various aquatic activities. Other key amenities include a leisure pool, gym, hydro slides, and a poolside party room, designed to make the facility a versatile, family-friendly destination. The facility is also targeting a Green Star 5 rating, reflecting its commitment to energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

We were commissioned to design, engineer, and construct an intricate 2,660sqm acoustic ceiling for the renovation. The architect’s vision was to create a dynamic, suspended sail-like ceiling, where our tensioning system and Glulam frames would be prominent features. Precision was crucial due to the complex geometry of the 18 large panels, positioned around the skylights.

A significant challenge arose from the need to create custom stainless-steel hooks to withstand the humid environment of the pool, as standard stainless steel was unsuitable for this application. We conducted extensive research and development, eventually sourcing 8,000 custom hooks from a mill in China. These were specifically engineered to integrate with our AcoustiCeil system.

This project marked the first of its kind in New Zealand, presenting our team with novel challenges while delivering a visually striking and acoustically effective solution.

The new name, *Te Ngaengae*, holds cultural significance, honouring the local iwi, *Te Āti Awa*. Māori heritage is deeply embedded in the design, with an entrance supported by a *pou whenua* and a roof inspired by an upturned waka, symbolically connecting the architecture to its cultural and environmental context.