The winning design for Waiariki Institute of Technology's new $12 million Centre of Excellence for Tourism & Hospitality will feature a 150-seat demonstration kitchen lecture theatre, and barista lab among its key attractions.
"Our design competition resulted in a range of outstanding submissions from local and national architects," said Waiariki facilities manager Kathryn Bloor. "Darryl Church Architecture showed a clear understanding of the brief, and the needs of a tourism and hospitality building to strengthen academic delivery and community support functions on Rotorua's busy Mokoia Campus."
Scheduled to break ground in November, the modern centre will replace the campus' original prefabricated buildings, which have served as 'A Block' since construction for Waiariki Community College began in 1976. To mark this passing of the torch, a ceremony is being planned for mid-2016.
![Interior concept. PHOTO/SUPPLIED](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/S4XL6GENQQ7K5RM3RCMUDVGXAI.jpg?auth=af73cf8e0a5a57ca64498a632a2d331cd8b9635f7aac0f29d33b323a1a15e13b&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
The first of the campus' redesigned facilities to be built in full view of the public, on the corner of Old Taupo Rd and Mokoia Dr, two separate three story buildings will form the core of the new facility, united by a shared roof.