Title: Te Pae
Client: Ōtākaro Limited, New Zealand
Red Dot Design Award 2023, Best Design Award NZ Finalist
Te Pae is the iconic convention centre of Christchurch, New Zealand, built after the devastating earthquake of 2011. The book’s narrative has been designed as a rite of passage, marking the collective transition from grief and rubble to urban beauty.
The black basalt cover and edge gilding, turn the book into a mysterious monolith, and are an homage to the volcanic land on which the building rests. Basalt to Māori is a treasure of significance to be handed down by ancestors; in the same way this "basalt" object holds inside the story of an important collective transformation to be passed on to future generations.
The content unfolds gradually over three parts, just like the three-stage sequence in a rite of passage. Part I– Separation describes the break from the past due to the disruptive earthquake; Part II– Transformation, is the liminal phase of creation, construction, and change; Part III– Return, is the incorporation of a new social identity marking the beginning of a new era. The frequent changes in the paper stock, act as a tactile backdrop where this ritual unfolds. Through its elegantly designed pages, the book seeks to delight and transport the reader to Te Pae; a landmark embodying the island’s stunning natural beauty and diverse cultural values. To capture this, it has been created with thoughtful design details, curated photography, and an emphasis on materiality.
“Book and building become a unified experience”
The use of various papers, textures, finishes, and treatments reflects the diversity of the building’s materials and gives the reader an in-depth insight into the sophistication and craftsmanship of Te Pae. Book and building become a unified experience. Its fluid composition –following the rhythm of the building’s undulating façade– is a tactile and visual interplay among vivid photography, collages, small monochromatic page insets, die-cuts and silver foil details.
The book is a portal taking the readers on an imaginary wander through Te Pae, where they can explore its connections to the braided rivers of Canterbury, the contours of the Southern Alps, and the Māori traditions. Ultimately, it is a tribute to these rare moments in time where co-creation after a crisis can lead to social transformation.
Book Design, Concept & Art Direction: Christina Biliouri
Photography: Dennis Radermacher, Bernd Gundermann, Michael Parkin
Image Editing & Color: Yiannis Alexandropoulos
Pre-Press & Production management: Ellastration
Editors: Lizzy Pearson & Bernd Gundermann
Publisher: Rau Paenga Limited (formerly Ōtākaro)
Book photoshoot by Danai Issaris
We would like to thank the editors Bernd Gundermann & Lizzy Pearson for the trust, joy and creative freedom, Yiannis Alexandropoulos for his mentorship and dedication, and Dr. Angelos Varvarousis for the insights on social transitions.