RUAUMOKO, in Maori Mythology, is the God of Earthquakes. Son of Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father), Ruaumoko became trapped insode his mothers womb when his brothers forced their parents apart - creating the physical world we today inhabit.

It is this process that TE RUAUMOKO is derived from. Seperation of the Earth and Sky, necessary for creation, results in consequences which we must face and overcome - repre-sented in our daily struggle with the elements.

Te Ruaumoko comprises of two main buildings functioning as one; the tilted moment frame structure (representing Papatuanuku), and the propped square services form (Ranginui).

An innate, dense mobility is inherent in the evolving forms, implying the rapid shifts and sub-dued states a seismically active area experiences. Much of the form was used to confuse the interior and exterior - representing the half-habitable, precarious structures left in the wake of a disaster.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the main, South-Facing entrance of Te Ruaumoko. The semi-open louvre walls filter the harsh environment, and begin to blurr the lines of interior and exterior. Left is a wider, convenience path for office and wheelchair access, while by the road is a section allowed for passing thoroughfare to the Train Station (also seen on the Ground Floor West Elevation of FIGURE 4.

The entrance curve shown in FIGURE 2 uses the structure toinitialy welcome, with its grand entrance, and then simulate pressure - as the brothers try pushing their parents apart. The notion of struggle is accen-tuated through the shift in elevation as one passes through the entrance louvres.This, coupled with the overbearing nature of the propped Rang-inui structure creates a sensation of release when The Void is entered, as shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 3 begins to explore the interior functions of the building; with its various main paths;

• Education • Journey • Office

The education route follows over the bridge, where a series of facilities and exhibitions are available. For the Journey Experience, vertical dis-placement is used to increase ones sensitivity to seismic themes - the visitors are taken under the bridge and lead between the mass of the structures. Finally, the office and functional route within Ranginui allows fast, direct access. It also provides wheelchair accessibility, Café ac-cess and shopping. Furthermore, it serves as the hub for foot traffic.

At the very end of the buildin there is a courtyard for light relief from the experience.

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Journey Path

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Reception

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KEY

Above, FIGURE 10 gives a wider context as to where in Wellington Te Ruaumoko is proposed to stand. It also gives some historical background - showing the origional shore-line, local Historical Pa Sites, and evidence of an exsisting underground lake - which influenced the design.

In FIGUREs 5 - 7, rough guidelines have been given as to how the main uses of Te Ruaumoko should ideally occur. Note there are unmarked spaces, such as storage and ex-tra access routes.

The Site spands 115m x 35m, with less than 70% of this covered by the building footprint.

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