CLIENT
SAM Property Ltd
LOCATION
Wainui, Auckland
COMPLETED
2024
CATEGORY
Commercial
AWARDS
2025 NZ Commercial Project Industrial Silver Award
The Windowmakers Building in Wainui exemplifies sustainable adaptive reuse and innovation in industrial architecture.
The Windowmakers Building in Wainui exemplifies sustainable adaptive reuse and innovation in industrial architecture. Originally a horse arena, later repurposed as a film studio, the 5,200 m² structure has been reimagined into a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub for Windowmakers Ltd.
Rather than demolish and rebuild, the project embraced the existing building to reduce construction waste, embodied carbon, and the demand for new materials—demonstrating a practical and environmentally conscious approach to industrial design.
The facility consolidates all operations into a single, highly efficient site. It integrates factory, office, cafeteria, and on-site apartment spaces to support staff in a semi-rural location while streamlining workflow and energy use. Delivered on a tight timeline, the project was managed through a staged consent process and robust coordination between all stakeholders.
Architecturally, the design celebrates both functionality and refinement. Expansive glazing floods the workspace with natural light and showcases Windowmakers’ own window systems. The exterior presents clean lines and subtle forms that complement the surrounding rural landscape, while the interiors maintain a strong connection to the outdoors—delivering a light-filled, efficient, and comfortable environment for staff.
Ashton Mitchell is proud to have partnered with SAM Property Ltd and the wider consultant team to deliver this award-winning facility.
PROJECT TEAM
- Warren Payne
- Simon Arms
- Denis Kuzmenkov
