Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui closed in 2019 for
earthquake strengthening. Seven years on, it has reopened—reimagined
around te taiao, the natural world, with growth and renewal echoed in
its forms, colours, and details. Tihei worked with Athfield Architects
to weave mana whenua perspectives into the building, making it a living
cultural taonga.
The Wayfinding was developed in close collaboration with Chris Mitchell (Design Manager, Wellington City Council), Arihia McClutchie (Principal Advisor Māori), Athfield Architects (Architecture), and Extended Whānau (Brand Identity and Pihi Font). Jono Ashman SignBiz carried out prototyping, fabrication, and installation.
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We set both languages in the same typeface. This Linkedin article explains why that matters.
The lichen installation in the Te Ngākau Tomo by Athfield Architects provided the formal basis for the bent form of the fingerpost signs.Directional fingerpost signs are produced in two sizes, displaying up to two destinations with space for icons and street addresses.Fingerpost signs are mounted using the same arrangement of brackets and bolts used for lighting, establishing a close material relationship with the building's architecture.
The bent form of the fingerposts catches and displays sunlight as it enters the building, shifting throughout the day and week in response to changing conditions.The full system combines directories, level markers, and fingerpost signs. Horizontal type indicates direction; vertical type designates arrival—a distinction carried through consistently to doors and stack ends.Stack ends feature a fully adaptable system that accommodates ongoing shifts in the collection. Vertical markers between books identify sections within the stack.Pihi, a bespoke typeface developed by Extended Whānau based on the idea of a seed, is used for beacon graphics, window manifestations, and the naming of key spaces throughout the building.