Made for this place
Look around Solsen Auckland Airport and you’ll find work made by hand, some of it for this building. Tapa from Tonga and Samoa, and harakeke woven in Aotearoa. It’s our way of giving a modern motel some warmth, texture and a sense of place.
Siapo in the guest rooms
In the guest rooms you’ll find siapo, Samoa’s traditional tapa. It starts the same way, as beaten bark from the paper mulberry, and is decorated with natural dyes in patterns handed down through generations of makers. It’s a quiet detail, but it’s one of the first things guests notice.
Ngatu in reception and hallways
The walls of our reception and hallways carry freehand-painted ngatu, the barkcloth of Tonga, by Tongan artist Lavinia Taufa. Ngatu is made by beating the inner bark of the paper mulberry into sheets, joining them, then painting the pattern by hand. Every piece is a little different, and every line is someone’s work.
Harakeke by Anne Daniel
We commissioned New Zealand fibre artist Anne Daniel to create woven pieces for the building. Anne has worked with harakeke for about 25 years, growing much of it in her own garden near Hokitika, then preparing, dyeing and weaving it by hand. The finished pieces bring the colour and texture of New Zealand flax indoors.
Good design doesn’t need to shout. We hope these pieces make your stay feel a little more considered.
Unwind in comfort, wake refreshed - secure your Solsen Auckland Airport stay today.