Wellington’s Tākina convention centre has set high environmental standards, and features ExtraTread entry matting from Advance Flooring.

Presented as ‘the nation’s meeting place’, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre is the capital’s largest built infrastructure investment in two decades. ExtraTread entrance matting from Advance Flooring was chosen to welcome all who will meet there.

A reflection on place

‘As a gathering point within the city, Tākina expresses in its form and materiality the essence of place,’ says Stephen McDougall from designers Studio Pacific Architecture. ‘The building has a unique sculptural form that draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including its maritime location and the dramatic (and sometimes wild) local weather patterns and landforms.’

The 18,000 sqm building has its main entrance on Cable Street and a second on Wakefield Street. Public access between Courtenay Place and the waterfront is via a covered link through the building.

ExtraTread, extra durable

Heavy-duty ExtraTread entrance matting protects and enhances each of the ground-floor entryways, which lead to the public foyer and a 1280 sqm Exhibition Gallery, the largest in New Zealand, designed to host leading international touring exhibitions.

Part of Advance’s Architectural series, ExtraTread is a premium aluminium and carpet strip mat with extra-wide infills for maximum wear and performance. The additional friction of the insert material provides greater anti-slip control and 37 per cent more water-absorbing capacity.

Manufactured in New Zealand, ExtraTread can be made to measure in large sections to ensure a seamless design aesthetic. This has allowed Studio Pacific to create entranceways which flow elegantly through to Tākina’s interior, blending with the cityscape. ‘The interior,’ adds Stephen, ‘is deliberately restrained, with careful use of earthy and bold colours and finishes throughout.’

ExtraTread with polyamide inserts is also Declare and Global GreenTag certified, making it an ideal choice for Tākina. ‘The building is 5-star Green Star design certified – the first convention centre in the country to achieve this standard,’ says Stephen. ‘It is designed to emit up to 70 per cent less carbon and use up to 70 per cent less energy than similar buildings, representing New Zealand excellence in environmental sustainability.’

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CREDITS

Product: ExtraTread Entry Matting

Architect: Studio Pacific Architects

Photographer: Jason Mann

Writer: Folio