Located on Auckland’s bustling waterfront, the Downtown Ferry Terminal is a vital transport hub that faces constant exposure to the elements — salt-laden air, wind-driven rain, and moisture from the harbour. For the prominent soffit ceiling of the new Ferry Basin Canopies, the design team sought a material that would deliver durability, cultural expression, and a refined architectural finish.

To meet these requirements, Trespa Meteon panels were selected for the soffit linings — face-routed with a custom cultural motif — offering both aesthetic impact and proven long-term performance in demanding marine environments.

“We selected Trespa Meteon panels to line the soffit ceiling of the new Ferry Basin Canopies alongside Queens Wharf for several reasons,” explains Paulo Costa, Principal Architect at Isthmus Group. “In the first instance we wanted a product that is weather resistant, low maintenance and robust enough to be installed in a marine environment to withstand salt air and wind-driven rain... Our soffit lining finish would be exposed and needed to be colour fast and fade resistant which Trespa Meteon can offer.”

From the Trespa Meteon range, a timber-look finish was chosen, delivering the warmth and texture of wood with the durability of a high-pressure laminate. As Costa notes, “A key driver was to source a panel product that could be machined, worked, and cut without compromising its material integrity.”

The panels were arranged in a loose chevron layout across the ceiling plane, with CNC-routed abstract sail motifs designed in collaboration with Mana Whenua artists. The precision machining revealed the darker core of each panel, creating a striking contrast and layered texture across the soffit surface.

“The finished soffit has a crisp, clean appearance, with the wood grain offering a warm feel and ingrained with rich texture and pattern across the floating ceiling plane,” says Costa.

The performance of this installation is underpinned by Big River Panels’ proprietary fixing systems, specifically developed for use with Trespa Meteon. These systems are designed to support the four key principles of weathertight construction: Drainage, Drying, Deflection, and Durability. By incorporating a ventilated cavity and allowing for controlled airflow, the system prevents moisture entrapment and supports long-term material stability in coastal conditions.

This project demonstrates how durable materials, cultural storytelling, and considered detailing can come together to create a high-performing and visually compelling structure — one that will stand up to Auckland’s harsh marine environment for years to come.