The University of Waikato Law and Management Building incorporates bi-cultural Maori and modern learning processes into its design. It features an open green area at the entrance that leads down to a sunken courtyard, connecting the new law building to the existing management school. Natural light and shadows are emphasized throughout the spaces to enhance the user experience. The monolithic facade expresses permanence and prominence as a gateway to the campus.

2. The
University
of
Waikato
Law and Management Building

3. The
University
of
Waikato
Law and Management Building
Legend /
1. Reception
2. Student Lounge
3. Foyer
4. Boardroom
The architecture is an expression of the way we learn 5. Moot Court
L 03 - 05 6. Seminar Room
and relate to our environment; the synergy between Academic Office / 7. Meeting Hubs
traditional Maori and modern tertiary educative Management 8. Student Centre
processes. By incorporating bi-culturalism into the 9. Computer Lab
heart of the design concept, it formed the basis of the
building’s design that is conducive to holistic
learning. Journeying through spaces is a
choreographed experiencing of discovery and
realisation. The cultural significance of experiential
learning is silently felt as one moves through the Entry
spaces- deliberately subtle yet impactful.
1
On approach at ground level, an open green expanse L 02
contrasts the well-grounded, monolithic form and Entry / Administration
subtle hints of a courtyard below. Working with the
natural land-form which slopes toward the East, the
building’s social spaces are arranged toward this
orientation and opens up to capture the view of a
distant mountain range. The journey descends to the
Waik
feature sunken courtyard where natural light plays 6 ato Ma
nage
poetically with deep shadows, connecting the new men
5 6 t Sch
ool
law faculty with the existing Management School.
L 01 d
rtyar
Throughout this building, the spatial experience is Student Facilities 3 Cou
accentuated by the emphasis of light and shadows to
4 7
provide a cognitive understanding of the building’s
8
program. The building’s monolithic facade expresses
a sense of permanence and stature, fitful for the 8
faculty’s prominence as a gateway building on the 2
campus.
Far Right / Circulation 9
Exploded Axonometric L 00 9
Student Facilities
9
Right / Concept Sketch 2
Choreography of the
Journey

4. The
University
of
Waikato
Law and Management Building
Right / Long Section
Not to Scale
Far right / Cross Section
Not to Scale
Below /
The monolithic form expresses the idea
of strength and permanence while light
and shadow have been used to create
a dramatic entrance

5. The
a. Left / Extended Campus Context Below / Site plan [ L 02 ]
University
of a. Academy of Performing Arts 01. Shared zone
b. b. Student Centre 02. Present main approach from campus
Waikato c. Proposed Law and 03. Future approach
Management School 04. Visitor parking
Law and Management Building
c.
05. Service vehicle bay
06. Marker sculpture
07. Atea
08. Law building entrance
09. Seating
10. Lawn
11. Sunken courtyard
12. Proposed management school entry
plan L 03 - 05
typical
N
02.
DN
UP
DN
Waikato Management School
01.
DN
UP
04.
ad
Hillcrest Ro
05.
plan L 01
12.
06.
03.
10.
07. 09. 11.
UP
08.
plan L 00
plan L 02

6. The
University
of
Waikato
Law and Management Building
Right /
Building form shifts from a well grounded entrance
to opening up towards the south-east end
Bottom right /
Light plays poetically with deep shadows in the sunken
courtyard, which provides a point of connection with the
existing management school
Above /
Initial concept sketches exploring the relationship between
the building, the green expanse, and courtyard

7. The
University
of
Waikato
Law and Management Building
The architecture is an expression of the way we learn and Throughout this building, the spatial experience is
relate to our environment; the synergy between traditional accentuated by the emphasis of light and shadows to
Maori and modern tertiary educative processes. By provide a cognitive understanding of the building’s
incorporating bi-culturalism into the heart of the design program. The building’s monolithic facade expresses a
concept, it formed the basis of the building’s design that is sense of permanence and stature, fitful for the faculty’s
conducive to holistic learning. Journeying through spaces prominence as a gateway building on the campus.
is a choreographed experiencing of discovery and
realisation. The cultural significance of experiential learning
is silently felt as one moves through the spaces-
deliberately subtle yet impactful.
On approach at ground level, an open green expanse
contrasts the well-grounded, monolithic form and subtle
hints of a courtyard below. Working with the natural
land-form which slopes toward the East, the building’s
social spaces are arranged toward this orientation and Project Information:
opens up to capture the view of a distant mountain range.
The journey descends to the feature sunken courtyard Address: Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato
where natural light plays poetically with deep shadows, Build Date: Mid 2013
connecting the new law faculty with the existing Completion Date: Late 2015
Management School.