Across the Board
DESIGN FOR WATERFRONT FALE MALAE TAKES SHAPE
A concept design has been released for the proposed Fale Malae on Wellington’s waterfront, with backing from manawhenua, Pasifika leaders, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and the government.
The design, a collaboration between Jasmax, Albert Refiti, associate professor at AUT and research leader in the field of Pacific spatial and architectural environments, and fine artist Michel Tuffery, represents a significant step forward in the Fale Malae Trust’s plans to create a cultural landmark within the capital’s Frank Kitts Park.
Elisapeta Heta, principal and Kaihautū Whaihanga at Jasmax, says the Fale Malae “will hold Pasifika people, tangata moana, at its heart, but will be for all the people of Whanganui-a-Tara, of Aotearoa and of our moana nui”.
The sculptural roof form articulates two hands clasping together, like those of a dancer of the tau’olunga – the
