Overview

The refurbishment of Te Puea Memorial Marae marked a major milestone – reopening on its 60th anniversary and reaffirming its place as the first urban marae in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The renewal was not simply a building upgrade. It was a culturally significant project requiring modern building services to be delivered with respect, discretion, and long-term usability for a diverse range of users and events.

Intelligent Environments was engaged to design and integrate a centralised smart control solution that would simplify building operation while preserving a clean, uncluttered aesthetic aligned with the marae environment.

Objectives

• Deliver a single, intuitive control platform for multiple building services
• Minimise wall clutter and reduce operational complexity for everyday users
• Enable flexible scene-based control for ceremonies, gatherings, and special events
• Provide future-ready infrastructure with energy-efficient control capabilities
• Ensure the system was simple, robust, and culturally appropriate for long-term use

Technical Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Multiple Building Systems, One User Experience

The marae required coordinated control of lighting, RGB feature lighting, ceiling fans, heaters, louver windows, and skylights – traditionally delivered through multiple switches and standalone controllers.

Solution
A zencontrol DALI-2 platform was deployed to consolidate all services into a single smart control ecosystem, accessible through intuitive zencontrol smart switch display interfaces.

Challenge: User Simplicity Without Loss of Capability

The space is used by a wide range of people, many of whom are not technical users, yet the operational requirements vary significantly between daily use and large ceremonial events.

Solution

• Minimal user interfaces paired with high-functionality backend control
• Clearly defined scene and mode selection for different event types
• Supplementary simple push-button switches with icon-based labelling to reinforce ease of use and clarity

Challenge: Aesthetic Sensitivity

Wall clutter and excessive hardware would detract from the visual and cultural integrity of the space.

Solution
By consolidating control into zencontrol’s system architecture, the project eliminated numerous standalone controllers, resulting in a clean, refined wall presentation that aligns with both architectural and cultural considerations.

Project Partners and Collaboration

Close collaboration between Intelligent Environments and BM Electrical Ltd was critical to the project’s success.

Early coordination ensured:

• Seamless integration of lighting and non-lighting services
• Alignment between design intent, installation quality, and end-user operation

A future-proofed control solution that can evolve with the marae’s needs

Project Outcome

The completed system delivers a high level of control through minimal interfaces, enabling staff and users to confidently manage the space without technical complexity.

Key outcomes include:

• Centralised control of multiple services via a single DALI-2 platform
• Customisable scenes and modes for cultural ceremonies, gatherings, and events
• Reduced visual clutter and improved interior aesthetics
• Energy-saving capabilities through timed operation, zoning, and thermostat integration
• A robust, scalable solution suited to long-term community use

The result is a respectful integration of modern smart building technology within one of Auckland’s most culturally significant spaces – supporting both everyday function and special occasions with clarity, simplicity, and control.

To learn more about this project or discuss a complimentary consultation for your next project, please contact us.