Third Place Thinking™ Founder and Sports Architect Dion Gosling, was a design architect with Hillery Priest Architecture for the new multi-sport and community facility in Manukau.

The completed project aimed to regenerate the Hunters’ Corner village precinct, and optimise existing field layouts. A new $12M sports facility was designed to provide for a broad range of sports and community groups.

The facility incorporates a three-lane indoor cricket training centre, strength training room with associated changing room facilities, reception and administration offices, multi-use meeting and community areas, two flexible function and lounge areas, kitchen and bar facilities for 300 capacity gatherings, individual and small-scale external balcony areas viewing over the Reserve with six changing rooms for sports teams.

A simple building form and durable materials — concrete and sustainable hardwood — reduce maintenance needs. Captured solar energy supports the hot water system, and large roof overhangs and design for natural light and ventilation reduce operational costs and reliance on HVAC systems.

Kolmar Papatoetoe Sports Centre functions as the Home of Southern district sports and the community.

In 2013 the Papatoetoe Sports Centre was recognised as the Most Outstanding Recreation Facility in New Zealand at the 2013 New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Awards in Rotoura.

Watch the video to get a sense of how Third Place Thinking™ has been used when considering the design work for PSC – a collaboration with stakeholders to create a safe space to include a diverse community.