TOA Client Space
A collaborative build shaped by meaning, craft and wairua
Hutch Construct had long admired the work of TOA Architects. Nick and the team have a rare ability to create architecture that is both visually striking and deeply grounded -pushing creative boundaries while always anchoring their spaces in function, meaning and a strong cultural lens. Their work carries a sense of belonging: thoughtful, resolved and rich in wairua.
When Hutch had the opportunity to work alongside TOA on their own client space, it felt like a genuine privilege. Collaborating with people who are passionate, highly skilled and humble created an experience that was as rewarding as the finished result itself.
From the moment you enter the space, there is an immediate sense of calm. The atmosphere is intentional and refined - almost gallery-like in its quietness. Every element feels carefully considered, contributing to a space that is serene, functional and full of presence.
One of the standout features is a custom sliding barn-style door, crafted from Redline Premium non-structural plywood with a 5mm red negative detail. Its form draws inspiration from Māui’s hook, giving the piece both visual strength and cultural meaning. It is a hero element that reflects the project’s wider design approach: expressive, purposeful and deeply connected to story.
At the heart of the room sits a striking maunga form clad in black aluminium, creating a powerful central focal point within the space. To one side, a hidden hatch provides discreet storage for documents and equipment, adding yet another thoughtful and functional layer to the design. Above, a black two-way grid ceiling system with black acoustic tiles completes the room’s composed and immersive feel.
What makes this project particularly memorable is not just the final outcome, but the way it came together. The process unfolded as a real-time collaboration between design and construction, with Nicks ideas being sketched, tested, refined and resolved on the spot with Hutch working through how to bring the ideas to life.
While Hutch led the build, Sam and Keena also contributed to bringing Nick’s vision into reality. What stood out most was the openness of the process - the way creative input was welcomed and how initial ideas from the wider team were encouraged and then developed further within the design. It was a true collaboration, where the process mattered just as much as the outcome.
This project gave Hutch the opportunity to build with precision, creativity and care alongside people who inspire us. More than just a fit-out, it was a shared exercise in craftsmanship, meaning and respect for the elements that make a space feel truly special.
It is difficult to fully explain, but this space carries a real wairua. It feels designed not just to function, but to hold meaning and honour the ideas within it.
A real privilege to help bring this whakaaro to life.
He toi whakairo, he mana tangata — where there is creative excellence, there is human dignity.
