Te Manawa Community Facility

Location

Westgate, Auckland

Architect

Warren and Mahoney

Assistant

Charlotte Turner

Located just a stone’s throw from Auckland’s Northwest Shopping Centre, Te Manawa is one of the city’s newest multi-purpose community hubs – a striking piece of civic architecture that brings together a library, council services, creative spaces, and community rooms under one roof.

I coordinated with the team at Te Manawa to capture a series of stills showcasing the space, with a focus on its architectural form and interior atmosphere. My second-shooter Charlotte and I started just before dawn to take full advantage of the early morning light – which absolutely delivered, casting warm flares across the tall glass panels and polished black flooring inside.

The goal was to highlight both the design and the way the building interacts with light and shadow across the day. From the bold yellow pop-out balcony to the open-plan reading and meeting areas, we aimed to document how the architecture supports movement, gathering, and moments of stillness alike.

This wasn’t a traditional interior shoot – it was more about capturing a sense of presence and scale, and the role this space plays within the community. The strong vertical lines, rich material palette, and interplay of light offered plenty to work with.

Big thanks to the Te Manawa team for being so welcoming and for giving us access to the space in those early hours – it was a pleasure to shoot a project that’s as considered as it is community-focused.