The Pacifica

Towering 178 meters above Auckland’s CBD, The Pacifica is a 57-storey commercial and residential high-rise building that has reshaped the city’s skyline. Offering expansive views of the city and Waitematā Harbour, this transformative project bridges cultural heritage, innovative design, and urban ambition.

Project overview

Location: 10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
Project Type: Commerical and residential High Rise
Date of Completion: January 2021
Applicant: Hengyi Projects
Project Team: Positive Planning Ltd, Plus Architecture
Panel Members: John Hunt (Chair), Andrew Lamb, Jon Rennie and Will Thresher
Date of Panel: Thursday 9th June 2016

The AUDP influence on the project

The Pacifica’s design is a testament to collaborative innovation, refined over years of input from multiple design teams, architects, and Auckland Urban Design Panels. Each iteration added layers of cultural, social, and environmental significance to the project.

The final design celebrates Auckland’s unique identity:

The graduated glazing reflects the waters of the Waitematā Harbour.
The pikorua motif honors Māori and Pacific culture and heritage.
The twisting facade and integrated public spaces create a dynamic dialogue between the building, its urban context and broader landscape.

The design process with AUDP

A Collaborative Design Journey

Hengyi Projects acquired the site with existing consent but recognized untapped potential in the original design. Their collaboration with Plus Architecture aimed to deliver a landmark structure that harmonized with Auckland’s unique urban landscape while setting a new standard for high-rise living.

The Pacifica was brought to the Urban Design Panel for its central location, significant scale, and the opportunity it presented to positively influence Auckland’s skyline.

The redesign of the consented facade was a key driver for Hengyi and Plus Architecture when the site was procured. They were motivated to simplify the building, in order to relate it more strongly with the Achilles House heritage building.

The Panel requested further consideration be given to the horizontal and vertical expressions of the façade. The revised design featured subtle alterations to the interface between the wall and the balcony, creating a key difference in the expression of the building.

Vertical expressions became dividing sections running down the middle of each façade. Narrow floor plates with glass balconies above them added to the horizontal components.

In terms of scale, the original consented strategy was based on one tall tower, expressing the scale through cake-like layered floors representing individual stories and with no breaks in the mass. The Panel suggested the tower could be broken down into two or three masses.

Other recommendations included use of different apartment layouts to enhance the overall look of the tower, and using recessed elements on the four corners.

The original design featured a diamond-pattern facade, which posed challenges with internal amenity and window functionality. The design evolved into a lattice pattern inspired by Auckland’s natural and cultural identity, with subtle references to Māori and Pasifika weaving traditions.

The tower’s graduated glazing symbolizes the rolling waves of Auckland’s beaches and the bustling harbours, transitioning from dark blue at the base to silver-white at the summit. This effect was achieved using advanced low E-coating technology on the glass, creating depth and vibrancy while maintaining interior neutrality.

Motifs and texture inspiration for the building envelope.

The building’s form is divided into three distinct sections:

Podium (7 storeys): A robust street-level presence fostering commercial activity.
Twisting Facade (Levels 8–24): Highlighting the pikorua motif with a visually dynamic mid-section.
Tower (Levels 25–57): Ascending with graduated glazing, representing the transition from land to sky.

The Urban Design Panel recommended breaking the tower into distinct masses and integrating recessed elements at the corners, creating a sense of rhythm and proportion while enhancing visual interest.

Māori Design Elements

The facade incorporates the pikorua (2 twisted pikopiko ferns) motif, symbolizing the intertwined connection between people and the land. This “twist” is expressed through diagonal design elements and a dual-skin facade. Recessed walls and gaps between the twisting blue elements enhance the sense of depth and dynamism.

Unique attributes of downtown Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Key Features and Enhancements

The laneway design evolved to enhance visibility, safety, and pedestrian connectivity. The Panel’s suggestion to straighten the alignment and increase the ceiling height resulted in a vibrant, legible corridor enriched with landscaping and retail opportunities.

Concept of the laneway and ceiling glazing.

The revised design aimed to enhance resident amenities with vertical gardens and open balconies. However, concerns about maintenance and high winds led to their removal. Instead, the balconies were replaced by enclosed winter gardens in the upper section of the building. The Panel supported this shift to a more weather-resistant living environment.

Commercial spaces on the podium’s Commerce Street frontage contribute to a lively streetscape, while clear visual connections between the laneway and surrounding public spaces enhance accessibility and urban vitality.

Podium concept render with glazing nodding to the pixelation attibute.

A Skyline Landmark

The Pacifica stands as an iconic addition to Auckland’s skyline, balancing aesthetic beauty, cultural significance, and urban functionality in a unique way. Its thoughtful design highly influenced and supported by the expertise on the Panel, enriches the city while offering residents unparalleled views and a strong connection to the surrounding environment.

This project exemplifies how ambitious design, rooted in cultural influence and broad engagement and expert collaboration, can transform a site into a landmark that defines the future of urban living.