Mason Bros | Auckland, New Zealand | 2016

Architects: Warren and Mahoney Architects 
Client: Precinct Properties
General Contractor: NZ Strong Construction
Photographers: Dawid Wisniewski and Simon Devitt

The Mason Bros project involves the adaptive reuse of a character warehouse space into a three-story commercial development as part of the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct.

The conceptual approach is to suspend a highly reflective glazed object within the existing volume (separated spatially from the brick and concrete enclosure on three sides), creating a strong formal and material contrast while amplifying the presence of the existing fabric. 

The former character of the warehouse is retained with the dramatic saw tooth roof form dropping south light into a major 60m long internal lane which acts as the circulatory system of the building and provides an internal pedestrian link at a masterplan level.

An intentional spatial ambiguity is created within the lane through the use of highly reflective gold glazing which blurs the relationship between new and old.

The project delivers approximately 5700m2 of commercial floor space over three levels with lower and upper levels connected via triple height spaces and an upper level balustrade condition.

The project is spatially courageous, reinventing the expected commercial paradigm in favor of a bespoke and spatially fluid approach befitting the unique opportunity of the building.

The building addresses public lanes on all frontages, with high levels of operability enabling strong activation of these urban edges.

The character building fabric is retained, punctuated by contemporary glazing elements which reveal the mysterious internal object inhabiting the carapace of the former warehouse.

The retention of the character building is critical at a masterplan level, creating an authentic link to the industrial legacy of the site, while heavily influencing the architectural composition of adjacent buildings.