Hundertwasser Art Centre
Architectural Landmark - Whangarei, New Zealand
The Hundertwasser Art Centre was built to celebrate the life and work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, painter, architect, ecologist, and visionary. He spent much of his life in New Zealand and was awarded for his contributions to conservation efforts. Hundertwasser believed that “the straight line is godless and immoral,” and the building faithfully reflects his philosophy through its flowing forms, vibrant colours, and organic shapes. This is a landmark attraction in Whangārei and provides a significant boost to the local economy.
The site sits at Whangārei’s Town Basin, underlain by an extremely deep layer of soft marine clay and mud. These weak soils posed significant risks of settlement that could damage the building’s intricate architectural features. To protect the structure, the foundation needed to transfer loads safely to competent rock far below the surface, without compromising the cost or constructability of the project. Such an unconventional building demanded an equally unconventional foundation solution.
Cook Costello was engaged to provide key geotechnical and structural inputs for the project, including:
Ground investigations, which identified soft sediments and the depth to competent rock.
Deep piled foundations designed to bypass the weak marine sediments, with piles socketed into the underlying rock.
Rigorous analysis and optimisation ensured strict control of settlement, while keeping the solution cost-efficient and buildable.
On-site supervision provided assurance that construction matched design intent, minimising risks during installation.
The bespoke foundation system now supports one of New Zealand’s most unique cultural buildings, a structure that draws national and international visitors and contributes to the vibrancy of Whangārei’s waterfront.
Cook Costello is proud to have played a role in delivering this project that embodies Hundertwasser’s philosophy and stands as a lasting tribute to art, architecture, and environmental harmony.
Learn more about the Hundertwasser Art Centre…
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