Marine Rescue Centre Auckland

Opened in October 1991 and featured in the January/February 1992 issue of Architecture New Zealand, the Marine Rescue Centre in Auckland was designed for an exposed marine environment where the exterior materials would face demanding conditions.

FDL replaced the building’s external cladding with moulded glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) panels. GRP was well suited to the project because it could form the building’s distinctive curved exterior while providing a durable surface resistant to moisture, salt-laden air and weather exposure.

The cladding was produced with a lightly stippled finish to improve its longevity and maintain a consistent appearance across the building. The completed project is a strong example of selecting and moulding composite materials to suit both an architectural design and the conditions in which it must perform.