Port of Auckland

The brief for the Car Handling Facility at Port of Auckland, part of the 30-year Master Plan, was simple on paper: accommodate imported vehicles. Yet, it also presented a creative opportunity to set the standard for what waterfront infrastructure could be.

Our concept for this prominent project brought nature, public space and art into the fold. Located just minutes from the CBD, this building had the potential to do more than store cars. It could contribute to Auckland’s cultural and environmental landscape. We designed with that ambition front of mind, approaching the facility as a living, working part of the city.

Our design solution delivers on two key fronts. The final multi-level build cleverly optimises space by stacking imported vehicles vertically, making port operations much more efficient.

But beyond function, Auckland has gained a new landmark. The southern façade features the world’s largest soil-based vertical garden with over 3,800 plants, many of which are native to New Zealand. This green wall celebrates the natural heritage of the harbour, while also reducing the facility’s environmental footprint. Meanwhile, the western side is wrapped in The Lightship—a stunning 110-metre digital art installation that has become a public canvas for large-scale displays.

The Car Handling Facility demonstrates how architectural form can not only fulfill function, but transcend it to become something more. A perfect unity of operational needs and civic benefit, contributing to the ongoing evolution of Auckland’s waterfront.