STRATEGIC URBAN DESIGN

Greater design oversight needed

An international architect and urban planning specialist is calling for the reinstatement of a century-old government agency to provide strategic design oversight as New Zealand’s largest cities enter a period of rapid housing intensifi cation.

The position of “Government Architect”, which headed the Ministry of Works and Development’s architectural division, was disestablished 20 years ago when the ministry was closed.

Patrick Sloan, founder of Sloan Architects and whose 30-year career includes over 150 projects in 20 countries, says historically the Government Architect’s role was to advise government on all aspects of architecture, building and the built environment, including policies for the design of and expenditure on governmentfunded and operated facilities.

He says from August, the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) bill will require councils to allow townhouses of up to three storeys with up to three dwellings on almost all residential sites in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, and Hamilton, without the need for resource consent.

Modelling shows the new medium density rules could see more than 100,000 new dwellings built in the next eight years.

Sloan says adding thousands of three level residential dwellings in our major centres is not without risk.

“Within the coming weeks we will see the start of an urban ‘gold rush’, with property developers able to take advantage of new housing density rules.

“The risk is that we will see substandard developments proceed that make little or no contribution to the neighbourhoods and communities that we all live in.

“Architectural merit isn’t limited to how a building appears or performs. It’s also about having a positive impact on the character of our streets and the public realm, and the safeguarding of a shared urban identity.

“What we need is visionary thinking and design leadership that looks decades into the future – this would come from the Government Architect.”

The construction industry is doing it tough right now, with kinks in the supply chain combined with a market slump for labour.

Local suppliers, always a useful but perhaps undervalued resource, have emerged as heroes, keeping projects moving when the international players are meeting barriers. One such local superstar is

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Lancaster Park reinvented

Christchurch’s historic Lancaster Park reopened last month as an open green community recreational space and sports fi elds.

Formerly home to Lancaster Park stadium, the opening marked the end of a nine-month redevelopment. The budget for the redevelopment following the demolition of the grandstands is $11.7 million and the total cost of the redevelopment to date (excluding the memorial gates restoration) is $4.8 million. Ongoing development comprises more community amenities on the park, including buildings, plantings, a playground and a multi-media package to capture its history.

Lancaster Park has been the scene of a number of record making events, including: 1888 1935 1952 1962 1973 1987 1990 2002

Cyclist Fred Wood set a world record for a quarter-mile on grass.

Betty Snowball set a 50-year world record for the highest individual innings in women’s cricket.

Bert Sutcli e set the highest ever cricket score by a New Zealander.

Peter Snell set running world records in 800 metres and 800 yards.

Glenn Turner became the fi rst New Zealander to get a century in each innings of a cricket test.

Pat Carrick became the fi rst woman to umpire a fi rst-class cricket match.

Richard Hadlee became the fi rst cricketer in the world to take 400 test wickets.

Nathan Astle achieved the fastest-ever double century in cricket.

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A solid foundation

The Canterbury earthquake sequence highlighted the importance of geotechnical investigations followed by a good foundation design.

When building a new house or extension, there is as much engineering input required as there is architectural design. A myriad of aspects needs to be considered, from the state of the land on which the house’s foundation sits, to whether the design itself is structurally sound and sustainable. All these elements are integrated into what the multi-faceted engineering company, Cook Costello, can o er homeowners and has been doing so for more than 45 years. Cook Costello delivers a comprehensive package of undoubted quality, and at a competitive price. With years of experience in providing specialist geotechnical services, Cook Costello recognises that a successful project starts with a good understanding of the ground. The company, in partnership with its sister organisation GeoCivil, has its own IANZ-accredited soil testing laboratory that can provide clients with sound and reliable advice regarding land performance. It’s one of the very few engineering consultancies in the South Island that has this testing capability in-house. Cook Costello has teams of experienced structural and geotechnical engineers who work together to design foundations that meet New Zealand standards. There is a saying that a good foundation should go unnoticed, just like a good football referee. Investment in a thorough site investigation and the subsequent construction of a suitably robust foundation to suit the ground - where structural engineering expertise is required - will not be visible in the fi nished development. This investment, however, assures that a building has been constructed on a stable foundation, thereby reducing risk, increasing resilience for future earthquake events, and giving peace of mind to owners and occupants. GeoCivil and Cook Costello provide the complete package of structural and geotechnical engineering combined with high-quality testing services from highly skilled and trained geotechnical technicians. Testing services are o ered to cover a broad range of options, from shallow investigations using hand-held equipment to deep investigations using mechanical drilling rigs and more advanced laboratory testing for more challenging ground conditions. Cook Costello will work with you to obtain a building consent. They will test the ground according to New Zealand standards and design site-specifi c, coste ective and appropriate foundations. If you have a building project in the future you can contact Cook Costello at 03 365 5960.

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