Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport
by Space Studio Ltd

Space Studio Ltd, the design firm behind the Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport, embarked on a distinctive journey to seamlessly merge indigenous Maori culture with contemporary architectural design. In collaboration with Auckland Airport and the Tainui iwi, the design brief was multi-dimensional, aiming to embody both the rich cultural heritage of the Tainui tribe and the renowned brand standards of a Pullman hotel.

The hotel, strategically situated on the Manukau Harbour at Auckland Airport, was envisioned as an international standard accommodation hub catering to travellers transiting through the bustling airport, a central hub for the wider Pacific region. With a mandate to provide a five-star experience, the hotel sought to establish itself as a destination for dining and entertainment within the airport precinct.

The location of this hotel on the isthmus of Auckland is a significant geological area where early Maori landed and were able to traverse the land taking their waka (sea going vessels) from the west to the east coast. As such it has always been a landing point. Now, the hotel, with it views of the NZ harbour, offers travellers a place to ‘land’, feel grounded, rest before being transient again.

Space Studio’s ingenuity extends to a bespoke light feature evoking flight paths, symbolising the transient nature of travel. The restaurant and bar on the top floor of the hotel, overlooks the runways and the adjacent Manukau harbour. Named Te Kaahu (Maori for Hawk), the gull wing ceilings rise to the perimeter of the space encompassing the view of sea to sky.