DRAG

High Commission of India

High Commission of India in Wellington, wrapped in a tracery screen of twisting aluminium facade fins

Belcanto transformed an intricate architectural vision into a refined, buildable fin system for the new High Commission of India, delivering the most complex bespoke facade element we’ve completed to date.

  • Products
    Attaché Screens
  • Location
    Wellington
  • client
    Mckee Fehl
  • Architects
    Warren & Mahoney
  • Main Contractor
  • Completion
  • Project Type 
Aluminium fins and marble screen elements layering the facade of the High Commission of India
TURNING COMPLEXITY INTO CLARITY

Located in Wellington’s Parliamentary Precinct, the new High Commission of India draws on traditional India planning principles with a central courtyard at its heart – a serene, light-filled space designed for gatherings and functions of up to 300 people. The surrounding building, expressed through clean, rectangular forms, uses concrete, marble, glass and metal to convey strength, dignity and permanence.

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A standout feature is the tracery screen system that softens light, provides privacy and reinforces the building’s civic and cultural presence. Belcanto was engaged to design, procure and install the bespoke Colossus 200x10 aluminium fins – twisting, sculptural elements that required deep collaboration with Warren and Mahoney and careful integration with the wider facade.

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Resolving the complex geometry and performance demands of the metal and marble screens called for advanced modelling, prototyping and detailing. Our team engineered a prefabricated solution that honoured the design intent while simplifying construction sequencing and ensuring structural integrity.

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Installed with precision by Belcanto, the custom fins give the building its layered texture and visual rhythm, offering protection without heaviness. The result is a striking, culturally resonant facade that balances technical complexity with buildability. ‍

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Find out more

To learn more about our Attaché facade systems or custom design capabilities, contact our expert team.

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High Commission of India in Wellington, wrapped in a tracery screen of twisting aluminium facade fins
Aluminium fins and marble screen elements layering the facade of the High Commission of India

To learn more about our Attaché facade systems or custom design capabilities, contact our expert team.

Street view of the High Commission of India in Wellington's Parliamentary Precinct, designed by Warren and Mahoney
Close-up of twisting 200 × 10 mm aluminium fins in the High Commission of India's tracery screen

Products used

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Our clients and partners

What Our Clients say

The brief for the Resido Apartments was for a balustrade design that met all of the client’s design intents. This included balcony privacy, a fast build programme and a timeless aesthetic – simple, clean and crisp. The Belcanto system delivers that beautifully.

James Daulton, Project Architect
ASHTON MITCHELL

Balconies can be time-consuming, involving multiple trades. Coordinating all these elements can be a challenge for contractors. The Grappler system addressed this at Gulf Rise Village by handling all construction in the factory, ensuring quality control and simplifying the process with a single warranty.

Mark Crean, Project Architect
IGNITE ARCHITECTS

At Metlifecare Gulf Rise, Belcanto fixed 12 balcony units in a single day. The system allows us to complete the facade sooner, bringing down the scaffolding up to a month earlier, which accelerates work on adjacent civil and landscaping projects. It’s refreshing when something just works as planned, without any issues.

Garyth Jones, Project Manager
NZ STRONG

We’ve now used the Grappler system on three buildings for Metlifecare. Our client saw the value in how it reduced risk to the envelope design while delivering significant speed and cost savings. It’s proven to be a real success.

Mark Crean, Director of Living Environments, Aged Care
IGNITE ARCHITECTS
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