Co-Design on the Global Stage
At the World Architecture Festival 2025 in Miami, Managing Director, Darryl Church proudly presented Whare Waka as a finalist in the Display category. An achievement that celebrates both design excellence and the cultural depth embedded within this project.
Representing DCA Architects of Transformation on the global stage, Darryl shared the story of Whare Waka as more than a structure: a place of identity, cultural expression, and community connection. The presentation highlighted the project’s purposeful integration of mana whenua narratives, and the unique co-design journey that shaped every design decision, highlighting DCA’s with, together, for ethos.
Standing alongside some of the world’s most innovative architectural works, Whare Waka was recognised for its craftsmanship, storytelling, and the way it elevates cultural presence through architecture. Darryl’s presentation was warmly received, reinforcing the importance of indigenous-led design thinking within international design discourse.
WAF 2025 marks a milestone for DCA and our project partners, celebrating a building that speaks proudly of place, people, and shared aspiration.
“Whare Waka shows what’s possible when architecture is created with, together, for the community it serves.”
– Darryl Church / Design Lead