Port of Auckland Maintenance Facility

Client | PORT OF AUCKLAND

TYPE | Architecture

SECTOR | industrial, Commercial, Workplace

STATUS | Design Concept

Location | AUCKLAND, NZ

HEIGHT | 20.5m, 3 STOREYS

SCALE | 5,8000 sqm

Portside Plexus: A lattice-clad structure linking land and sea.

Part of the wider Ports of Auckland Master Plan, also designed by Plus, the design of the Maintenance Facility reimagines the waterfront as a dynamic link between land and sea. Collaborating with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the design honours tikanga Māori principles while reconnecting a once-divided area to the Waitematā Harbour.

A solar-responsive façade, inspired by the kupenga (fish net), balances large-scale presence with human-scale detail. Its rhythmic lattice captures light and shadow by day, glowing warmly by night. Angular roof forms, optimised for solar panels, ensure resilience and sustainability in a marine environment.

The site’s landscape, shaped by LandLAB, evokes the volcanic topography of the Auckland Isthmus. Greenspaces and vantage points invite the public behind the historic ‘red fence’ to engage with the harbour’s layered history.

Designed for functionality, the facility centralises operations and supports the port’s automated straddle carriers. A modular steel grid creates flexibility and durability, while natural light enhances usability.

Despite complex site constraints, the design integrates seamlessly into the precinct, forging a bold identity. This innovative, culturally grounded facility transforms the waterfront, inviting new connections and experiences.