Waharoa

The Māori word waharoa means a gateway or entrance. First part of the word "waha" means mouth, entrance, orifice, or voice. And the second part "roa" meaning long, slow, delayed. When we put these two parts together, it forms the meaning of a gate house. A gate house is a boundary marker and portal or point of crossing. To mark a crossing point is to heighten the moment of transfer suggesting not just the mundane act of passing through, but the possibility of a self-conscious crossing, a crossing that transform. (week 5 lectures notes of SPAD601 on blackboard, 2018) Below are a few examples of historical Māori waharoa.

From my interpretation of the gate house. I proposed my version of the gate house entrance as shown in image 1. Currently the location of the gateway is on the first floor and towards the back of the building. The entrance way is very narrow. My propose has significantly widen the gateway from it's original size. The entrance is made of 3 tunnels, each tunnel is 1.5 mitres long. It is designed in such a way to maximising an adventurous experience. As visitors moving from interior to exteiror space, s darkness to light threshold is created. Especially when they walk through the perforated channels. An experience of entering the forest begins.

Gateway from interior to the outer deck at Arataki visitor centre by Michelle 2018

Gateway entrance from interior of the building to the outer deck

Next week, a proper model will be constructed, as well as a detailed floor, elevation and section plans are to be drawn. It's counting down time to my critic feedback session now. Only 9 days to go.

Michelle x