Master of Architecture student draws international acclaim for Fale Malae design

Emelie’s award-winning design is a concrete Fale Malae for Wellington’s waterfront. Its sculptural roof forms appear to levitate above the building’s foundation which projects over the harbour. A glass-enclosed meeting space is in between, and structural binding weaves the roof and foundational forms together. Its composition echoes the hulls and outrigging of Pacific vaka, va‘a, waka, or wa‘a amongst the waves.

The proposed Fale Malae explores a Polynesian legend that tells the story of Papatūānuku, the earth mother, and Ranginui, the sky father. Emelie explains that “they once upon a time lay in a tight embrace, allowing no light to reach Earth until they were forced apart by their children, allowing humans to exist in the light. According to legend, it is humankind's quest to reunify Papatūānuku and Ranginui."

“The proposed Fale Malae aims to find this union between the earth and the sky, whilst simultaneously maintaining the light between them in the space that we occupy as humans. Through structure, form, and composition, the building aims to demonstrate that the space between the earth and the sky is not what separates all things, but what connects us all. The Fale Malae unites Papatūānuku and Ranginui in the same way that it brings together our nation’s Pasifika peoples and the beautiful cultures they represent,” Emelie says.

The building’s structural use of concrete emits a steadfast temperament on the city’s waterfront.

“We were tasked with designing the Fale Malae from concrete, as our design studio was focused on gaining an increased understanding of concrete structural systems and its use as an expressive material,” Emelie notes.

Emelie entered the competition while completing her third year of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies.

“Our lecturer shared the opportunity with us, and I thought it was an unmissable opportunity to enter a global competition with a New Zealand National Fale Malae design. I received support and guidance from my tutor and from my lecturers, Lecturer Daniele Abreu e Lima and Professor Daniel Brown.”

Daniele says Emelie was able to give richness of detailing in the structural proposal as well as in the architectural design.

"It was inevitable that Emelie‘s work received the highest mark in the [Bachelor of Architectural Studies] course. We are very excited about her 2021 Concrete Prize Award and winner of the Oceania Regional The Global Undergraduate Awards 2022,” Daniele says.

The award encourages Emelie to continue pursuing architecture as a cultural discourse.

Emilie says the award has encouraged her to keep learning about how to create architecture that celebrates and embodies cultural narratives.

She is currently on an oversea exchange at the Technical University of Munich and will return at the end of the year to complete her Master of Architecture.

“Studying and living in Munich is giving me a diversified understanding of architecture and how it is practised throughout the world,” Emelie says.

After graduating with her Master of Architecture, Emelie aspires to deploy her architectural expertise for humanitarian projects.

“I aim to work on humanitarian architectural projects focused on places in need. I love the idea of combining modern architectural technology and design with traditional building techniques and local materials to create architecture that exists symbiotically with its physical and cultural contexts—building architecture that serves and empowers communities would be incredible.”