Re-imagining the Gordon Wilson Flats Gregory Wang
Studio 42 | Re:imagine
Gordon Wilson Flats Wellington, New Zealand
Sydney, Australia
North Island
Melbourne, Australia South Island
Wellington, New Zealand
0
200km
Wellington Botanic Gardens
Wellington, New Zealand Wellington Harbour
KELBURN
Civic Square
Gordon Wilson Flats
Wellington Central Business District
ARO VALLEY TE ARO
0
100m
BROOKLYN
Gordon Wilson Flats, Wellington, New Zealand
Source: Stuff.co.nz
Why the Gordon Wilson Flats?
Housing Crisis
Heritage
Education
New Zealand is experiencing a historical housing crisis
The Gordon Wilson Flats is protected due to its Historical Signif icance
The Gordon Wilson Flats was sold to Victoria University of Wellington
The Gordon Wilson Flats have been unoccupied since 2012 due to doubts about its structural integrity. New Zealand is prone to earthquakes and buildings need to accommodate for these uncertain loads. The Gordon Wilson flats housed around 130 people when it was operating as a social housing complex.
The Flats was design by F. Gordon Wilson, a prominent and influential architect in new Zealand between the 1930s to 1950s. One of the last high rise social housing projects built by the state of New Zealand. In February 2021, the building has been listed as a category 1 historic place. “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural signif icance or value”.
Victoria University of Wellington had plans to redevelop the site for a new campus. They also had plans to create a pedestrian link between the University and the Central City.
What is a Category 1 Heritage Building?
Heritage New Zealand - “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural signif icance or value”... “Entry on the List is a recognition tool and does not in itself prevent places being altered or sold.” “What do I do if I want to modify a place on the List? Contact Heritage New Zealand. Change to the use and function of places can be appropriate, and we will help you look at ways this can be achieved with the minimum impact.”
Wellington Population Growth
Wellington House Price to Income Multiple
250000
10
8.62 202,700 200000
8
191,000
4.51
Year
2021
0 2018
0 2013
2
2006
4.45 4
50000
Year
Source: Interest.co.nz
5.26
2018
100000
6
2013
150000
2006
Multiple (Price/Income)
Population
179,500
Price in $ (NZD)
Source: Interest.co.nz
$300 $300
Jan 2010 Jan 2011
Date
$410 Jan 2018
Jan 2021
$450
$440
$495
500
Jan 2020
Jan 2019
$400
$370 Jan 2017
Jan 2016
$360
$350
$330
400
Jan 2015
Jan 2014
Jan 2013
$320
$300
Jan 2009
Jan 2012
$295
$275
Jan 2008
Jan 2007
$260
300
Jan 2006
$250
0 Jan 2005
100 $240
200
Jan 2004
Median Annual Rent Price in Wellington (2 Bedroom)
- The topography of the site will be a challenge
University Relative Floor Level
Gordon Wilson Building height
Source: Google Streetview
+65m
+40m
Ground Floor Level
5m
Relative Street Level
0m
University Institution
Victoria University Pipitea (Law & Commerce)
Gordon Wilson Flats Dedicated Student Accommodation Residential Dwellings Commercial Buildings
UniLodge Student Housing
Weir House Student Housing
Everton Hall Student Housing
Katharine Jermyn Hall Student Housing
Boulcott Hall Student Housing
Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus (Hilltop / Main)
Te Puni Village Student Housing
Victoria House Student Housing
Capital Hall Student Housing
222 Willis Student Housing Cumberland Hall Student Housing
0
100m
Victoria University Te Aro Campus (Architecture & Design)
What are my Goals?
Building Typology
Mixed-Use Village
Student Housing
University Complex
Users
Community
Students
Provide Housing solutions for Students in today’s competitive Rental Market
Preserve the Heritage of Gordon Wilson Flats
Create an Urban intervention which links the Hilltop Victoria University Campus to the City
Goals
Enhance the Street interface of the Site
Create a Small Institutional Complex for the University
Create a Village which promotes Social and Functional Mix
ConnectConnect
Connect
Community Community
Street Activation Street Activation
Community
Connect
Connect
Community Community
Community
Street Activation Street Activation
Street Activ
Connect Connect
Community
Community Community
Street Street Activation Activation
Street Activation
SCENARIO 1.0
Retain Retaining the existing conditions of the site with changes to the programmatic arrangements to the interior space will be the most cost effective solution. This will also be the best solution regarding the preservation of heritage.
SCENARIO 2.0
Alter Subtracting volume f rom the North of the building will create a visual permeability for the stairs/connection to the University on to of the bank. The connection will be more visually connected to the road below
Site Conditions
Existing Mass
The site of the Gordon Wilson Flats is situated on a sloping site, with a large bank to the rear of the building. At the top of the bank, the University is situated. In f ront of the Flats, is an open space with an interface with the street.
The existing building is designed in a modernist aesthetic and one of New Zealand’s most historic buildings in this style.
SCENARIO 3.0
Rebuild It is arguable that the building is not fit for purpose due to it’s structural concerns. There have been proposed plans to completely redevelop the site entirely but this is not in the spirit of retaining heritage.
Retain
Public Level - Activate the Ground Floor Level of the building
Connecting Floors - Connect social spaces of each floor together
Alter
Rebuild
Communal Space - Promote social living conditions by having communal spaces on each floor
Structure - Reinforce the structure of the building since this is the main reason it is closed
Centre Mass - Addition of more floor area to create more rooms and social space - Addition of mass also allows a services core to be created
Access - Create a intuitive thoroughfare to the rear of the building where the stairs will be located
Remove Mass - The inclusion of a services core allows the existing lift shaft and egress stairs to be removed.
Rooftop Mass - Create more social spaces on the rooftop to promote social interactions
To Victoria University Main Campus
U n i ve
r s i ty B uildin g
Student Housing
0
10m T H E
T E R R A C E
Accessible Route Pedestrian Route
0
10m
UP STAIRS TO UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS
CLEANER’S ROOM RECEPTION OFFICE RECEPTION OFFICE
BASKETBALL COURT
CLEANER’S STORAGE RUBBISH CHUTE
COVERED OUTDOOR BBQ / DINING
COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
HVAC RISER
STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION
STORAGE
FIRE RISER
UP
WET SERVICES RISER
LIFT SHAFT
ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD
DATA RISER
FRIDGE / FREEZER
COMMUNAL KITCHEN
0
2
4
6
8
10m
Ground Floor Plan - Student Housing
RUBBISH CHUTE
COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
HVAC RISER
ACCESSIBLE
UP
STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER
UP
WET SERVICES RISER
BATHROOMS
UP
SMALL KITCHENETTE
LIFT LOBBY
LIFT SHAFT
WASH ROOM
ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD
DATA RISER
ACCESSIBLE
KITCHENETTE
COMMON AREA
0
2
4
6
8
10m
Typical Floor Plan 1 - Student Housing
RUBBISH CHUTE
COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
HVAC RISER
0
2
ACCESSIBLE
4
6
8
10m
DN
STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER
UP
WET SERVICES RISER
BATHROOMS
UP
SMALL KITCHENETTE
LIFT LOBBY
LIFT SHAFT
WASH ROOM
ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD
DATA RISER
ACCESSIBLE
Typical Floor Plan 2 - Student Housing
COMMON AREA
0
2
4
6
8
10m
Section - Student Housing
LAUNDRY ROOM
RUBBISH CHUTE
LIFT LOBBY
STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION
UP
STORAGE
FIRE RISER
UP
HVAC RISER
LIFT SHAFT
WET SERVICES RISER
KITCHENETTE
COMMUNICATIONS ROOM
ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD
COMMON AREA
DATA RISER
BBQ AREA
ROOFTOP GARDEN
0
2
4
6
8
10m
Rooftop Plan - Student Housing
Thank You
Gregory Wang