Design Engine Architects

26/04/2026

An honour to make the shortlist Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards with Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health - Design Engine Architects - Mark Wassung & Abigail Wassung. Please share and comment.

Wrapping around the old building as a warm metallic shrug, the feather and flax korowai evokes prestige, honour, clinical and cultural sophistication, bathed in the warmth of copper kinetic colour. Transforming the 1985 building into the future. The waharoa entry portal is a welcoming gateway to the community. The Design is a fusion of art and architecture integrating pou, sculptures and wall paintings by Artist Mr. G (Graham Hoete). Accessible Design has been integrated throughout the building adding ramps, auto sliding doors, café/kitchen with wheelchair friendly counters, accessible ablutions and shower, new lift to activate the first floor which had been un-tenanted for years, plus visual transparency through vertical fin screen and glass panels. Adaptive reuse of the Building has actively confronted new compliance requirements for removal of hazardous materials (asbestos), safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, fire and aesthetic improvements. The building is in a known area for the homeless so the mental health services provide for community and wellbeing.

Thanks very much to the Project Team

Client: Cindy Mokomoko CEO Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai.
Builders: Arrowsmith Builders - Blair Arrowsmith Director, Aaron Hill Director, Logan Basham Project Manager, Ray Johnston Site Foreman, Ryan Pratt Quantity Surveyor.
Geotechnical/Structural/Fire Engineers: BCD Group Campbell Dawson Structural Engineer, Joseph Manalo Graduate Structural Engineer, Cameron Hyne Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, Joe Crawford Fire Engineer, Jeff Cai Graduate Fire Engineer.
Services Engineers: Innerscape Richard Ismay Electrical Engineer, Ali Alsoud Mechanical Engineer, Lovepreet Mavi Electrical Engineer.
Feature Screen: Asset Engineering Peter Hamilton Director, Craig Hamilton Director, Jacob Kuka Project Manager/Cad Designer.

Photographer: Samantha Myers Photography

26/04/2026

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

Thanks Samantha Myers Photography for your professionalism and creativity. Great working with you on Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga. Encourage all to do a drive by. Please share and comment.

25/04/2026

An honour to make the shortlist Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards with Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health - Design Engine Architects. Please share and comment.

16/04/2026

Waikato & Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Shortlist - Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai - Mental Health Services 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga. Designed by Mark Wassung & Abigail Wassung Design Engine Architects Ltd. Please share and comment.

Wrapping around the old building as a warm metallic shrug, the feather and flax korowai evokes prestige, honour, clinical and cultural sophistication, bathed in the warmth of copper kinetic colour. Transforming the 1985 building into the future. The waharoa entry portal is a welcoming gateway to the community. The Design is a fusion of art and architecture integrating pou, sculptures and wall paintings by Artist Mr. G (Graham Hoete). Accessible Design has been integrated throughout the building adding ramps, auto sliding doors, café/kitchen with wheelchair friendly counters, accessible ablutions and shower, new lift to activate the first floor which had been un-tenanted for years, plus visual transparency through vertical fin screen and glass panels. Adaptive reuse of the Building has actively confronted new compliance requirements for removal of hazardous materials (asbestos), safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, fire and aesthetic improvements. The building is in a known area for the homeless so the mental health services provide for community and wellbeing.

Thanks very much to the Project Team

Client: Cindy Mokomoko CEO Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai.
Builders: Arrowsmith Builders - Blair Arrowsmith Director, Aaron Hill Director, Logan Basham Project Manager, Ray Johnston Site Foreman, Ryan Pratt Quantity Surveyor.
Geotechnical/Structural/Fire Engineers: BCD Group Campbell Dawson Structural Engineer, Joseph Manalo Graduate Structural Engineer, Cameron Hyne Graduate Geotechnical Engineer, Joe Crawford Fire Engineer, Jeff Cai Graduate Fire Engineer.
Services Engineers: Innerscape Richard Ismay Electrical Engineer, Ali Alsoud Mechanical Engineer, Lovepreet Mavi Electrical Engineer.
Feature Screen: Asset Engineering Peter Hamilton Director, Craig Hamilton Director, Jacob Kuka Project Manager/Cad Designer.

Photographer: Samantha Myers Photography

20/03/2026

Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai - Holistic Family Mental Health Services - 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga had Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Waikato/Bay of Plenty Awards shortlist Jury visit on Friday 20th March at 5pm.

A big thanks to the Institute for organising this and the time and commitment given by the Jury, it was a pleasure to meet
Convenor Louise Booth (Object Office Architect), Georgia Peacocke (Edwards White Architects), Davor Popadich (Davor Popadich Architects) and Geoff Lentz.

Thanks to our Clients Colin Reeder Chair, Peter Ririnui Board Member, Cindy Mokomoko CEO from Mark Wassung and Abigail Wassung - Design Engine Architects.

https://www.facebook.com/NewZealandInstituteofArchitects

18/03/2026

We would like to share the good news that Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai Mental Health Services 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga has made the shortlist.

07/12/2025

Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai blessing & openinig 6 December 2025 designed by Mark Wassung & Abigail Wassung Directors of Design Engine Architects. Thanks Graham Hoete Mr G for your art on the exterior and interior of the building.

06/12/2025

Te Puna Hauora Ki Uta Ki Tai - Opening and 30 Year Birthday Celebration

Saturday 6 December 2025 at 6am at 120 Eleventh Avenue Tauranga.

Mark Wassung and Abigail Wassung Directors of Design Engine Architects are proud to be the Architects for this transformational project. Building tomorrow’s leaders today.

Thank you to Client Cindy Mokomoko for her Vision and Strength. Thanks to Graham Hoete Mr G for his art throughout the building. Thanks to BCD Group Structural and Fire Engineers, Innerscape Services Engineers, Arrowsmith Builders, Asset Engineering and everyone who played a part. Please share and comment.