Port Tarakohe
Architectural Fencing for an Award-Winning Coastal Landmark
Set against the limestone bluffs of Golden Bay, the Port Tarakohe Management and Amenities Building is a small building with a big presence. JTB Architects designed the two-storey harbourmaster and amenities facility in collaboration with Tasman District Council, Manawhenua Ki Mohua, artist Robin Slow, and the local community. At 140m², the building is compact. However, the project team considered every detail carefully. This included the cultural detailing across the facade, the building’s connection to place, architectural fencing, and the way it sits within a working port environment.
A Boundary that Matches The Architecture
For a building with this level of detail, the fencing needed to secure the site and create a beautiful architectural fencing feature. Boundaryline supplied SentryPanel Rod Top fencing, custom powdercoated to match the bronze tone of the building’s exterior fin detail. As a result, the fencing sits naturally alongside the architecture, rather than feeling like a separate add-on. This creates a clean and cohesive finish. It supports the building’s design intent and still delivers the strength and security needed in a public port setting.
Security Without a Harsh Finish
SentryPanel Rod Top is a strong choice for sites that need reliable protection, but still need to look considered. The rod top profile provides intruder deterrence. At the same time, the softer capped finish gives the system a more refined appearance. This made it a practical fit for Port Tarakohe, where the boundary needed to feel secure, but still suit a public-facing amenities building with strong architectural and cultural value. The system is designed with a long anti-climb gap between horizontal rails, making it difficult to scale. It also uses 25x25mm vertical bars and 65x65mm posts for added strength. Because it is manufactured from aluminium, SentryPanel Rod Top offers long-term durability without the issues of rust or warping. For a coastal environment like Port Tarakohe, that matters.
Architectural Fencing Built for the Site
Port Tarakohe is a working wharfside location. Therefore, the fencing had to be practical as well as visually considered. SentryPanel Rod Top can be customised to suit any project, with custom gates and panels available on request. Rakeable panels are also available up to 30°, which helps the system follow sites where the ground level is not perfectly flat. For this project, the custom powdercoat finish was the key detail. By matching the architectural fencing to the building’s bronze exterior elements, the team created a stronger connection between the building and its boundary.
A Considered Finish for a Recognised Project
The Port Tarakohe Management and Amenities Building has already been recognised across several award programmes, including the Resene Total Colour Awards and the NZIA Nelson/Marlborough Architecture Awards. It is a project shaped by place, history, culture, and function. The fencing plays a quiet but important role in the final result. It provides security, durability, and a custom architectural finish that works with the building, rather than sitting apart from it. For projects where colour, security, and long-term performance all need to line up, SentryPanel Rod Top offers a practical solution with a polished result. Got a project coming up you’d like architectural fencing for? Get in touch with the Boundaryline team to talk through your project, or explore the full range online to find the right solution. Call us on 0800 003 006 or reach out through our Contact Form.
Project Details
Products: SentryPanel Rod Top in a custom bronze.
Photography: Jason Mann
Developer: JTB Architects
View our gallery of images below.
