BUILD

Fabric Structures is honoured to have played a key role in the creation of the Pounamu Pathway - Māwhera architectural canopy, a distinctive feature of the building housing the immersive Weta Workshop experience. Tasked with engineering, fabricating, and installing the PVC canopy, we helped bring to life an architectural representation deeply rooted in the cultural history of Poutini Ngāi Tahu. The canopy itself symbolises the pākē (cloak) worn by Tūhuru, the revered warrior chief, and reflects the iwi’s rich traditions and connection to the land and sea.

The design of the canopy was inspired by a net, traditionally used to harvest seafood from the nearby rivers and foreshore. This mesh-like structure not only ties back to the environment but also serves as a powerful allegory of weaving together stories, culture, and community. Fabric Structures worked with Hiraoka HG212-HT, a semi-translucent fabric chosen for its unique ability to allow daylight to filter through, creating a soft, ethereal glow that subtly illuminates the space below. As evening falls, the fabric takes on another life, with lighting emanating through and above the canopy, casting patterns and reflections that transform the building’s exterior into a vibrant display.

At the heart of this canopy is the anchor column, encased in a corten steel shield intricately adorned with woven iwi symbols. This cultural tapestry is echoed in other design elements throughout the building, including the wayfinding screens and mezzanine floor coverings, weaving together the past and present in a visually striking narrative.

From an engineering standpoint, Fabric Structures worked closely with architects and cultural advisors to ensure the canopy not only fulfilled its symbolic role but also met the functional requirements of durability and protection. The canopy not only shelters the timber-framed building, which is constructed using sustainable local materials but also enhances its aesthetic by allowing the natural warmth of the wood and the stories it embodies to shine through.

The entire Pounamu Pathway experience is a journey through the legends and history of the Poutini Ngāi Tahu, and this canopy plays a key role in setting the stage for that story. It stands as both a physical structure and a metaphorical one, encapsulating the spirit of Tūhuru, the strength of his people, and the enduring connection between the landscape and the cultural legacy of pounamu (greenstone). We are immensely proud to have contributed to this project, where fabric, architecture, and culture come together to tell an extraordinary story.

Architectural design references courtesy of RM Designs.