Te Kei - Administration hub
The new Athfield Architects designed Te Kei building (Administration Hub) on Madras Street campus is a move towards flexible, open plan offices.
Completed in 2017, Te Kei houses the Executive team, Human Resources, Finance, Workforce Development, Marketing Services, International Services and the Project Management Office. Many of these teams moved out of the Rakaia Centre (ALX), which will make room for an exciting new Student Hub.
The move has brought these teams together for better collaboration in purpose built spaces. The new Ara Workplace Strategy sets out a vision to create an environment and culture that supports excellence in the delivery of innovative, flexible and modern learning. Part of this vision is open, inviting and collaborative 'team-based' workplaces with minimal individual enclosed workplaces.
Individual and collective workplaces, informal areas, reception, storage and meeting spaces have been carefully arranged in the 1720sqm, two storey building , which is located on the site of the former recreation centre. Light and airy on the inside, the building utilises passive solar shading for better efficiency.
Te Kei means the bow of the canoe, where people in leadership would sit, and it is designed to stylistically complement its neighbour Te Puna Wanaka.
Open plan offices have also been introduced in the new Te Whareora (Science and Wellbeing Facility) and the refurbishment of V Block at the Woolston Campus.