22 minute read
MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL
+ AS SPACE BECOMES MORE VALUABLE IN OUR CITIES AND THEIR FRINGES, ENTRIES IN THIS CATEGORY NEED TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT TO CREATING QUALITY, HIGH-DENSITY PRIVATE HOUSING.
EXCELLENCE & BEST IN CATEGORY
Left The tower’s hue and form are inspired by the rolling waves of the region’s beaches and pouwhenua. Above Many apartments have sweeping views of the harbour.
Right Level 7’s poolside terrace.
PACIFIC EXCELLENCE
New Zealand’s tallest residential tower redefines quality inner-city living. Rising 178m above the Waitemata - Harbour, the 57-storey Pacifica connects to and interacts with the city. Its striking form and hue are inspired by the rolling waves of the region’s beaches, and exude the strength of pouwhenua, anchoring the building within the skyline.
The glass facade was designed to reflect the surrounding city and waterfront, while the twist pattern on the exterior is inspired by the Ma -ori pikorua motif of two intertwined pikopiko ferns. Pixel-glass patterns reference motifs in Pasifika and Ma -ori woven artworks and tapestries.
The Pacifica is an architectural jewel, delivering high-end apartments, luxurious amenities and common areas that make it an ideal place for a residential community to grow and thrive.
Owner Hengyi, project manager AECOM, construction firm Icon and Plus Architecture worked together, resulting in an innovative construction and design culture. While the building meets the New Zealand Building Code, an extra measure to validate the robustness of the design – the Tall Building Initiative guidelines for Performance – was also used. The resulting perimeter jumpform was a first for New Zealand and won the build team an excellence in building award. These efficiencies meant Icon could complete a floor every week.
“A project of this scale on a compact footprint of 1237sqm was always going to require a skilled delivery team, says Liz Scott, General Manager Hengyi Pacific. “Watching the Pacifica Tower grow and become a Pacific icon in Auckland has been hugely rewarding for all those involved in its build.”
Podium parking is accessed by two car lifts and is managed by a 24/7 on-site valet parking team, the first of its kind in New Zealand. Podium parking eliminated the need for a basement which, given the site’s proximity to the harbour, would have been at risk of seawater seepage.
On level 7, residents enjoy facilities such as a gym, yoga space, pool, spa, sauna, steam room, barbecue terrace and dining spaces. Entertainment and communal facilities, including a cinema, library and a lounge – designed to
Above The twisting form on the tower’s facade takes its cue from Ma -ori symbols. foster a strong sense of engagement and community – can be found on Level 25.
It hasn’t taken long for residents of this “vertical community” to form bonds. “What sets Pacifica apart from other residential buildings, is its sense of community, its amenities, innovation and management team, says an apartment owner in the building. Another resident is also impressed with the sense of belonging. “The Pacifica has developed a community where I feel known and acknowledged by name each time I walk out the door. There is a warmth and intimacy to the atmosphere of The Pacifica’s high-rise residential living that breaks the barriers of isolation.”
It’s no coincidence that the complex has engendered a sense of home, something that’s not always achieved in large-scale projects. “The vision was always about creating a sense of place,” says Sarah Kingsford, Interiors and Marketing Manager Hengyi Pacific.
“The end of the project meant the next chapter of The Pacifica as a home and
Above The sophisticated lobby area sets the tone for the building. Below The pool is one of the many sublime facilities for residents of The Pacifica. a community. Welcoming residents into their new space after their commitment to purchase off the plans has been a really satisfying milestone,” she says.
While the Pacifica might be a great place to live, it has also been designed to be considerate of its environment. Locally sourced joinery reduced dependency on international suppliers.
Key sustainability and efficiency-driven features include: centralised heating, cooling and hot-water distribution services; smart metering; LED lighting throughout; water-efficient sanitary fixtures; a rubbish chute on every level with recycling facilities; EV car-charging stations, 230-plus bike parking and e-bike charging points. Key systems, including security and EV charging can be operated remotely, improving the building’s performance. The development of bespoke software VLOBBY, with a resident CRM, and building-management application, is also a game changer.
On top of all that, the building is a striking addition to the skyline. “The totem form and blue hue of The Pacifica embed it in Auckland’s City-of-Sails heritage,” says Hengyi’s Liz Scott. “We hope that a locally inspired design provenance is something we will see more of in our urban settings going forward.” +
THE PACIFICA
10 Commerce St, Auckland Central, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER HENGYI (10-12 COMMERCE) LP DEVELOPER HENGYI PACIFIC (NZ) CONSTRUCTION ICON CONSTRUCTION ARCHITECT PLUS ARCHITECTURE SERVICE, MECHANICAL ENGINEER STANTEC AUSTRALIA STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BGT STRUCTURES & WSP QUANTITY SURVEYOR BARNES BEAGLEY DOHERR PROJECT MANAGER AECOM OTHER CONSULTANTS POSITIVE PLANNING, INHABIT GROUP; HOLMES FIRE
Above Waiparuru Hall offers students a home, with facilities such as a gym and self-catering and dine-in options. Opposite Before the new facility could be built, more than 7000sqm of soil and rocks had to be removed.
A WELCOME FIRST PORT OF CALL
First-year students at The University of Auckland often face a number of challenges – and that’s before they embark on a quest to find a place to live. Now they can rest a little easier.
Waiparuru Hall is the new hall of residence and offers fully catered accommodation for school leavers in 786 stylish bedrooms across two towers.
The Whitaker Place site, located on the edge of the university campus, required some engineering genius to prepare it for its new residents. The tight-cul-de sac of 3070sqm is on a 45-degree bank, with the north-western motorway at its base.
To create the flat site ready for piling, more than 7000sqm of soil, rock and rubble was removed. From this emerged two towers of 12 and 14 storeys respectively, constructed above a common two-storey podium.
Some history: In 2015, 35 Whitaker Place was acquired by the university for future student accommodation development. This enabled not only the development of a catered hall of residence on that site, but also made the redevelopment of neighbouring 27 Whitaker Place – already under university ownership – more feasible.
Planning controls designed to protect daylight in the area had previously hampered the potential for 27 Whitaker Place, which had only 172 beds. But ownership of both sites meant they could be redeveloped.
Waiparuru Hall includes provision for kitchen and dining facilities that can eventually serve both sites. Each floor has shared bathroom facilities and communal space for both recreation and study. This is further enhanced by gyms, meeting rooms, laundries and a ‘my kitchen’ (self-catering) area – in addition to a large commercial kitchen that can cater for up to 1200 students per dining session.
A new dining concept, called ‘destination dining’, offers students a wide variety of food from different cuisines.
The repeating nature of this project meant that main contractor Dominion Constructors were able to maximise efficiency, with prefabrication of bathroom pods, facades and services installed off-site. This helped speed up construction while also ensuring quality.
Aggregate and admixture continues a colour scheme common to the wider university campus. Post-tensioned concrete supports the building fabric.
The hall, conveniently sited on the fringe of the university campus, has accommodation for 786 school leavers. The facilities are spread across two multi-level towers joined by a twostorey building.
The efficient and resilient frame sits within two excavations and stretches between them to avoid the in-ground cables. The search for efficiency, along with the site complexity, contributed to a procurement strategy that enabled the design team to benefit from early contractor involvement.
From the outside, the two towers offer a muted skin to the city’s edge. Precast concrete cladding panels provide acoustic performance, while remaining authentic to their origin in appearance. The facade texture is brought to life as the sun tracks across the sky.
Construction method choices resulted in Dominion Constructors using locally sourced materials with less waste and fewer truck movements. Their long-term performance reduces ongoing impacts of replacement, repair and maintenance.
Every effort has been made to make the students feel at home. Spaces are provided so they don’t have to go back to the university to study. This also reduces pressure on areas of the campus.
Top acoustic and thermal performance is balanced with user control, offering students flexibility and choice while maintaining comfort. The learningspaces reduce pressure on the university’s existing on-campus spots by providing a home that is also place of study – something that’s particularly valued in a city familiar with lockdowns.
This building provides a resilient and high-density living solution in the city centre, leveraging existing infrastructure and encouraging greater wellbeing for the students who live here. +
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND – WAIPARURU HALL
35 Whitaker Place, Grafton, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER, DEVELOPER THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND CONSTRUCTION DOMINION CONSTRUCTORS ARCHITECT WARREN AND MAHONEY SERVICES, MECHANICAL ENGINEER BECA STRUCTURAL ENGINEER STRUCTURE DESIGN QUANTITY SURVEYOR RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL PROJECT MANAGER TSA OTHER CONSULTANTS CROSSFIRE, BOFFA MISKELL, EARCON
Bringing imagination to life
University of Auckland – Waiparuru Hall
“The project creates an environment that fosters learning with the design of communal space influenced by pedagogy, workplace and hospitality design.” Chris Haines
Richmond 6’s terrace houses and apartments were built as affordable yet stylish offerings for first-home buyers. The architectdesigned dwellings also foster a feeling of community.
HAPPY DAYS FROM SENSE OF BELONGING
This is a story with a number of episodes. It also involves happy days for home hunters and the return of Fonzie. Richmond 6 is the second of five precincts to be completed in the Richmond subdivision, a 10.5ha former quarry site in Mount Wellington, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland. The newest development features 47 terrace homes and 21 apartments set over a hectare.
The developers wanted to meet the housing demand by building quality medium-density homes, as well as create a safe community atmosphere. But before building even began, a couple of challenges needed to be overcome. The linear shape of the site presented one, and then there was the large shotcrete retaining wall dominating the entire west side.
Innovation was key to solving this conundrum, says DKO Architecture director, Ed Hosken. “We came up with a solution for homes that could hug the wall and utilise it to form a unique backyard coming off level one. This allowed us to maximise the sun and the internal layout of the homes.”
Where does the Fonzie fit into all this? It’s the name of a competitively priced two-bedroom terrace home. “It successfully activates laneway edges, provides passive surveillance within the depth of the masterplan and is a small, two level ‘up and over’ apartment block,” explains Hosken.
Richmond 6 was designed with first-home buyers in mind. Stylish yet attainable homes are important to this group, but so is belonging to a likeminded community. This objective was achieved with architecture and community assets such as pocket parks, ‘bump’ spaces and even a cardio room.
Internally, all homes are equipped with LED lighting, energy-efficient induction cooktops, low-pressure plumbing fittings and power points for electriccar charging in garages. Exterior materials are low-maintenance.
The development is made up of one- to four-bedroom dwellings and includes seven terrace and three apartment designs. Homes complement those in the preceding stage and have similar materials, but with the odd tweak.
Owners encourage friends and family to buy into the community, and some existing owners upsize or downsize, but choose to stay. Happy days indeed. +
RICHMOND 6
33 Panama Rd, Mt Wellington, Ta - maki Makarurau Auckland OWNER WILSHIRE RYBURN DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPER WILSHIRE GROUP CONSTRUCTION CAPRI CONSTRUCTION SERVICES ENGINEER MAVEN CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BLUEPRINT CONSULTING ENGINEERS QUANTITY SURVEYOR, PROJECT MANAGER KINGSTON PARTNERS
Above and opposite Quality materials inside and out create striking appeal.
Top The building is conveniently located to provide residents with a range of facilities.
BIG WHEELS KEEP ON TURNING
One of the most iconic buildings in the Albany Centre, OKLA is recognisable and distinguishable, yet blends into the surrounding environment seamlessly.
The mixed-use development in Albany comprises 117 apartments of one, two and three bedrooms, plus ground floor retail units that face the street. Sitting on a 5577sqm site, and with a floor area of 11,089sqm, the building has been designed to take advantage of stunning bush views in the Albany Basin. The apartments, which enjoy generous decks, are positioned so that all of them enjoy a good level of sunlight.
The building’s placement is partly inspired by the developer’s vision to create high-quality apartments with good connectivity to public transport. This responds to Auckland Council’s Park and Ride planning. Situated within walking distance of Albany Bus Station, Westfield Shopping Centre and various
other amenities, the location is highly desirable, says Brett Heaven, director of project management company Rubix. Residents enjoy an urban lifestyle in a high-quality apartment development, he says.
OKLA is not only a successful development, it is also a testament to the popularity of contemporary urban living. This is evidenced by the rate at which apartments were bought off the plans. From a value-gained perspective, they were sold at a very reasonable price – achieving 90 per cent in pre-sales, with valuations prior to settlement all well above the asking price. This offered purchasers great satisfaction, along with the reassurance that it was worth the wait to invest their money in this project.
The street-frontage presentation is designed to be welcoming and inviting to both residents and guests, and creates a picture of quality and elegance that’s continued throughout the building.
Careful consideration was given to the northern and western aspects when designing this “shaped” building. Residents have been provided views towards Hooton Reserve on the north-facing side and outlooks to Riverhead, while also enabling them to enjoy afternoon sun on the west-facing balconies.
The superstructure was designed in steel to keep the overall weight of the building low and cost-efficient.
In the interests of coordinating services, the project was documented into Revit to allow building information modelling (BIM). This provided a common model across all consultant teams when documenting the building. The key benefits of BIM lay in detecting clashes and confirming locations of penetrations through the main structure. This significantly reduced the amount of time for peer review during the shop drawing process and also ensured any design flaws were corrected and made Building Code compliant.
The building exterior is a mix of cladding and terracotta tiles, with the earthy nature of the latter providing a great visual contrast. The variation in tone not only breaks up the heavy look of the metal cladding, but also acts as a feature wall to present a welcoming facade.
Although a mid-range development, OKLA punches well above its weight in terms of apartment size and quality of finish.
Key interior features include fully tiled bathrooms with underfloor heating, timber flooring in living areas, air-conditioning, smart-home ventilation, security intercom and high-quality kitchens. A seismic joint between the two building wings provides a restraint for mechanical and hydraulic units, ensuring OKLA offers the greatest level of safety during a seismic event.
Sustainability is also reflected in the project. Steel significantly lessened the reliance on concrete, which reduced the overall carbon footprint. The lighting utilises energy-efficient LED luminaires. Lights within lobbies, corridors and stairwells are on occupancy sensor control.
Above The lobby is welcoming.
Left Sunlight and views were key design outcomes. Opposite Tonally different terracotta tiles lend an earthy quality alongside other cladding.
All mechanical ventilation units are controlled by timers to avoid energy waste, and all exterior walls are well insulated to minimise any heat loss in winter and heat gain during the summer months.
All plant rooms are positioned at the same location across the floors, which ensures there is only one centralised duct to carry services through each level. These rooms are located in the lobby area on each floor, which means ease of access for technicians to carry out maintenance. Photocell and timers control external lighting so that it operates only in darkness. This provides additional ambience and security.
The commuting component of this project extends beyond the Park and Ride proposal. Well thought-out bike facilities and cycle lanes in the area make two wheels an attractive option for people to access local destinations. That makes it easy not only to get to the bus station and shopping area, but also the numerous nearby bars and restaurants.
And – just in case you were wondering – OKLA stands for On Kaipiho Lane Albany. +
OKLA APARTMENTS
3 Kaipiho Lane, Albany, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER, DEVELOPER KINGSMAN DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION HAYDN & ROLLETT CONSTRUCTION ARCHITECT IGNITE ARCHITECTS SERVICE ENGINEER ECS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WSP/OPUS MECHANICAL ENGINEER THURSTON CONSULTING SERVICES QUANTITY SURVEYOR MALTBYS PROJECT MANAGER RUBIX
FLiP Homes has built three compact, healthy homes where one house formerly stood. The Miramar development is a showcase for homes that are affordable and minimise environmental impact.
SMALL BLESSINGS FOR PEOPLE & PLANET
Everyone has the right to high-quality, healthy homes, according to FLiP Homes. Its team is determined to increase the supply of homes that address today’s issues of environment, community, land supply and affordability.
Introducing FLiP Camperdown – a three-home development on a 506sqm site previously occupied by a single dwelling.
It’s made up of one three-bedroom (90sqm) home and two one-bedroom (42sqm) homes, each on their own title. Built on sand, and with screw piles, the houses are both structurally robust and also easy on the planet. They’re also quick to build – the foundation system was installed in less than a day.
Although designed for off-site construction, the houses were largely built on site, allowing the project management team to remain flexible throughout a time of uncertainty in the supply chain. This was largely due to the stop-start nature of the Covid environment, as well as a shortage of labour and subcontractors in the region.
“The transformation of the site increases density of high-quality and healthy homes, and the one-bedroom homes provide a sought-after model of housing in the heart of the film production hub on the eastern edge of Wellington city,” says Paul Swift, chief operating officer, FLiP Homes.
Described as compact in footprint, the homes are modest in size, smart and energy-efficient. This means lower energy and resources used during construction, enjoying low-maintenance requirements over the life of the buildings and lower running costs for the owner or occupier. A good result for residents and the environment.
FLiP Homes design manager Nick Officer says: “The company is committed to delivering truly healthy homes that focus on fabric first, so that New Zealand’s new houses are warmer, drier and healthier than what we have been used to.”
To ensure these outcomes, FLiP home designs are underpinned by science and quality design. The attractive development, a sought-after model of onebedroom detached houses on separate titles, provides an appealing alternative to apartments and townhouses.
To ensure nothing went to waste in the development, even the original home was re-purposed. It was sold and removed. Number two FLiP development is currently underway. +
FLIP CAMPERDOWN ROAD
46 Camperdown Rd, Miramar, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington OWNER, DEVELOPER JUSTIN RAKENA CONSTRUCTION FLIP HOMES ARCHITECT FIRST LIGHT STUDIO SERVICE ENGINEER CUTTRISS CONSULTANTS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER CGW CONSULTING ENGINEERS QUANTITIY SURVEYOR FLIP HOMES/MALTBYS PROJECT MANAGER BPM OTHER CONSULTANTS ENGEO
The building is home to 108 apartments across nine levels, which enjoy views to the city, out to the west and across a large landscaped courtyard. The interiors have been given an industrialstyle edge.
AN OH-SO CHIC FRENCH CONNECTION
Every home base was covered when 59 France St was designed for this inner-city corner of Ta -maki Makaurau Auckland. The vision was to provide immaculately appointed contemporary homes to cover a wide range of living requirements – from affordable first homes to luxury penthouse apartments. Apartments range in size from one to three bedrooms.
Located on a 2112sqm site in Eden Terrace, the building comprises 108 apartments across nine levels, with two levels of basement car parking and cycle parks. The ground floor includes commercial tenancies.
The distinct design form features a brick base that reflects the heritage of the area; modern and innovative features at the top of the building reflect developer Urban Collective’s overall vision for future development of the area.
The L-shaped building takes advantage of unobstructed views toward the Auckland City skyline and Waita -kere Ranges and enabled the creation of a north-facing landscaped courtyard for residents and commercial tenants.
A key objective of the project was to ensure low ongoing maintenance costs and efficiencies for the body corporate. This has been achieved through the design, together with specification of durable materials and high-quality construction methods.
Careful consideration was given to the performance of the building. Multiple energy modelling simulations were conducted to facilitate efficiencies in apartment design, to reduce energy consumption and ensure the building met or exceeded H1 energy efficiency standards as prescribed by the Building Code.
This input informed the design of the facade, as well as the building’s mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems – resulting in a high thermal performance and excellent heating and cooling capacity throughout.
The building is 100 per cent New Building Standard, achieved using reinforced concrete floor diaphragms connecting to sheer concrete walls. Precast walls and prestressed slabs were utilised.
Inside, the apartments have been given an industrial look, with exposed concrete walls and ceilings. Rough-finish plywood was used in the moulds to create texture in the exposed concrete ceilings. This has been coupled with high-finish exposed concrete walls. Galvanised ducting and exposed mechanical
Above The concrete walls have been cast in rough-finish plywood. Below Surfaces in the sleek kitchen, pick up on the exposed concrete and industrial finishes of the ceiling. services complete the look. Energy-efficient LED lighting and sensor lighting has been incorporated in all common areas to reduce energy consumption within the building. The exterior envelope has a high thermal performance which – combined with glass-wool insulation – also reduces energy consumption.
Other energy-efficient features include load-sensitive fans in laundries. The fans are activated when appliances are in use, and basement ventilation is operated by carbon monoxide sensors to minimise energy consumption when there’s minimal vehicle activity in the car park.
The residential building is a successful example of medium-density living. It’s handy to the vast range of social and cultural amenities of Auckland’s vibrant inner-city fringe; an abundance of dining and entertainment options are within walking distance. Commuting is quick and convenient too, with transport links and cycleways practically on the doorstep.
Although the building has 95 car parks across two basement levels, more than half the apartments were sold without car parks, which reduces subsequent vehicle emissions and infrastructure load.
Residential developments on brownfield sites such as 59 France are inherently sustainable, using and supporting existing infrastructure, services, schools, public transport, local shops and restaurants. The design and density of the
Left High-end designer features in the lobby are offset by bandsawn floorboards.
building reduces land consumption, urban sprawl and the destruction of arable land for housing. This densely populated urban environment has brought approximately 200 new residents to the area, who now support local business, social and cultural activities.
Additional stand-out features for residents of 59 France include the vast landscaped community garden area, beautiful art installations in the lifts and nine-level stairwell, the generous and comfortable lobby, and an innovative courier delivery box. +
59 FRANCE
59 France St South, Eden Terrace, Ta - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER 59 FRANCE DEVELOPER URBAN COLLECTIVE CONSTRUCTION CMP ARCHITECT PAUL BROWN & ASSOCIATES SERVICE ENGINEER HSC NZ STRUCTURAL ENGINEER SULLIVAN HALL MECHANICAL ENGINEER THURSTON CONSULTING QUANTITY SURVEYOR BBD PROJECT MANAGER RCP OTHER CONSULTANTS HEGLEY ACOUSTIC CONSULTANTS, EC SERVICES
URBAN COLLECTIVE
reimagining urban living for over twenty years.
Urban Collective are experienced multi awardwinning developers who focus on building freehold high-end and boutique residential developments. Established to fill a gap in the market for attainable luxury, with bespoke architecture, sophisticated interiors and distinctive design, we recognize the importance of creating buildings that endure by investing in an architectural and design strategy based on quality, durability and honesty.
