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Te Mirumiru is a Sweeping Green-Roofed Building that Combines Maori Tradition with Sustainable Architecture
Posted By Lori Zimmer On October 3, 2012 @ 5:14 pm In Architecture,carousel showcase,gallery,Landscape Architecture,Sustainable Building | No Comments
The architects based the complex’s design on the genius loci, the Maori Spirit of the Place . The resulting submerged structure  was built in the Te Whare Whenua tradition, which means house of the earth. By building a structure partially underground, its inhabitants and visitors are thought to be closer to Mother Earth.
The building site is shaped in a curved form that emulates a womb shape , with the structure residing within, its inner arch peeking out onto the land through floor to ceiling glass walls. Flooding the interior with natural light, the interior looks out onto the natural and lush swamp land of the area.
The grass covered roof  extends to the parking lot on the façade of the building, and also insulates the rooms inside throughout the year. Rain water is filtered throughout the dense mass of grass, diverting water from the storm sewers in the lot.
The arched ceiling  naturally circulates air throughout the interior, keeping it fresh and cool in the summer, and moving around warm air in the winter. The concrete floor absorbs the sun’s rays and provides radiant heat in the winter, while the roof overhang blocks direct sun rays in the summer.
Te Mirumiru combines modern sustainable and energy efficient design with the time honored tradition of historic Maori ideologies.
Via ArchitectureLover 
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URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/te-mirumiru-is-a-sweeping-grass-roofed-building-that-combines-maori-tradition-with-sustainability/
URLs in this post:
 traditional Maori design: http://inhabitat.com/first-light-team-new-zealands-solar-decathlon-house-puts-an-innovative-twist-on-the-basics/
 Collingridge and Smith Architects: https://www.facebook.com/CollingridgeAndSmithArchitects
 New Zealand’s traditions: http://inhabitat.com/new-zealands-whanganui-river-is-granted-legal-personhood-status/
 Image: http://inhabitat.com/te-mirumiru-is-a-sweeping-grass-roofed-building-that-combines-maori-tradition-with-sustainability/collingridge-and-smith-architects-te-mirumiru5/
 Spirit of the Place: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_of_place
 submerged structure: http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-dani-ridge-house-is-tucked-into-the-hillside-in-big-sur/
 emulates a womb shape: http://inhabitat.com/hush-pod-a-cozy-private-retreat-for-public-spaces/
 grass covered roof: http://inhabitat.com/jds-architects-beijing-green-visitor-center-is-a-sustainable-building-you-can-walk-on/
 arched ceiling: http://inhabitat.com/green-roofed-west-kowloon-terminus-will-link-hong-kong-with-chinas-high-speed-rail/
 ArchitectureLover: http://www.architecturelover.com/2012/09/te-mirumiru-by-collingridge-and-smith-architects/
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