1. Project Background:
Merchant Quarter is a mixed-use
development between the New Lynn
Railway Station and Public Library. The
development consists of two building
forms, whose external façades reference
a unique local context. Building A’s
façade, pictured, references the
area’s well known heritage of
manufacturing.
Located in close
proximity to the
historic site of
Crown Lynn
Pottery, the vision
for the building’s façade panels was
to reflect the ceramic industry and in
particular a Crown Lynn ceramic glaze.
Three Crown Lynn saucers supplied by
the architect were colour matched by
Nawkaw to achieve the desired result.
The Challenges:
Achieving the replication of the Crown
Lynn Pottery finish into a custom,
re-creatable stain in three different
colours; which could be successfully
applied to the building’s precast panels.
It was important that the colours on the
panels accurately aligned with the
overall aesthetic of the building, whilst
maintaining transparency to the
concrete element and replicating a
glazed finish. It was also imperative that
any imperfections on the panels, such
as damages, repairs or marks, were not
visible after the translucent finish was
applied.
Process:
Actual Crown Lynn Pottery samples
were supplied by the architect for
colour matching.
Samples were
prepared and
refined in consulta-
tion with the archi-
tect.
A full size scale panel was prepared
on-site to finalise colour and finish,
acting as a reference panel.
A physical repair strategy was required
for the panels before application of the
finishes, this was developed in
conjunction with Nawkaw.
Following physical repair of the actual
panels, they were coloured to reduce the
repair once the final stain was applied.
Prior to the commencement of the full
colouring of the building, consultation
was undertaken with the architect to
obtain the desired result. This was a
collaborative process between Nawkaw
and the architect.
Architect’s comment:
“Achieving a finish that had a real
visual connect with Crown Lynn
Pottery was, for us, important in
integrating the building into its
local context. With the panelling
shape and structure determined,
we worked with Nawkaw on this
challenge, to which their solution
has been very successful and
delivered the desired results.”
Jerome Buckwell, Jasmax

3. Project Background:
The precast cladding panels for the Q
Theatre Auditorium were originally
specified with a proprietary oxide / sand
mix, in addition to a textured mould
pattern.
After detailed consultation between the
precast supplier, Nawkaw NZ, the
engineer and architect it was decided to
use a staining option to provide
consistent colour over grey patterned
precast panels. Due to areas of the
pattern having a honed finish
McCallum chip was used so that the
exposed aggregate was in keeping with
the final colour.
The Challenges:
To manufacture a staining colour that
was sympathetic to the surrounding
historic brick buildings.
To ensure the staining maintained a
rustic appearance and simulated
oxide coloured concrete as opposed to a
painted finish.
To ensure the colour allowed for the
aggregate on the honed sections of
panel to be visible.
Installation of a translucent finish in
uncontrolled conditions (in situ colour-
ing)
Ensuring any repairs of damage to the
panels (patches or marks) matched both
the physical finish of the panels (sand
blasted, honed and off form finishes)
were not visible through the translucent
finish.
The Process:
All physical repairs were completed by
the precast manufacturer in
conjunction with Nawkaw with the
final faring coat being installed by
Nawkaw and shaped and coloured to
match the base concrete substrate to
ensure the repairs were not visible
through the final colour.
The proposed sample colour was de-
veloped with the architect taking into
account the context of the historic
brickwork on the buildings adjacent to
the proposed new theatre.
New technology transparent oxide
products were used to allow the
aggregate in the polished sections of the
panels to be visible through the stain.
A full sized sample panel was coloured
for architects approval and then
delivered to site as a reference panel for
the main contractor.
The colour was applied on site once the
precast panels were installed.