The Pinnacle - science & innovation centre : Albany

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can architects create a momentum of creative thinking and smart business in New Zealand using architecture?

The project aims to establish a new business hub to attract creative thinkers and boost the North Harbour Albany Centre and turn it into a landmark for successful business in Auckland’s North Shore. This is to be done by developing the area next to the North Harbour Stadium, zoned in the Unitary Plan as Metropolitan Centre, into a centre for business.

The Albany centre has established retail, education (with Massey University), and sports but in a disjointed manner that does not introduce itself as a busy and attractive metropolitan centre in Auckland. Albany is in need of landmark business centre that, in addition to attracting business, introduce a distinguishable identity and coherence to the metropolitan centre.

The project aims to use the design of buildings and environment to motivate, influence, and attract minds of high ambitions and creative thinking to come together to create a momentum of creative business thinking and applications.

Architecture and architects can play a key role in improving the economy in New Zealand, creating the canvas for new innovative smart business, and help solve the city's traffic problems by adopting a sustainable approach to create attractive metropolitan centres with distinctive style and focus.