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Kōawa Studios is a state-of-the-art creative precinct at the University of Canterbury, designed to unite education and industry. It provides students with hands-on access to commercial-grade tools for film, animation, games, podcasts, and mixed-reality experiences.
The building celebrates local culture and Ōrakipaoa’s historic ecosystem while integrating cutting-edge technologies, supporting a dynamic environment where students learn, innovate, and shape New Zealand’s creative industries.
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Kōawa Studios is a purpose-built hub for creative technology, where culture, innovation, and functionality converge. Its form and materials are inspired by Ōrakipaoa’s wetlands and plains, with textures and patterns that reveal stories at every scale. Niho Taniwha motifs flow through façades and interiors, linking heritage, narrative, and the digital world, while animated LED lighting brings the exterior to life, reflecting energy and movement.
Inside, commercial-grade studios, flexible workspaces, and post-production facilities support film, animation, gaming, podcasts, and mixed-reality projects. Every space meets professional industry standards, enabling students and creatives to collaborate in authentic production environments.
More than just a building, Kōawa Studios is a catalyst for creativity and a landmark for Canterbury’s digital screen sector. By weaving cultural narrative with cutting-edge technology and collaborative spaces, it creates an immersive environment where the next generation of storytellers can experiment, learn, and shape the future of digital media.
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