Walker Commercial

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COCORO

Cocoro was commissioned by former Soto chef Makoto Tokuyama as a showcase for his distinctive and very natural take on modern Japanese food.

WALKER COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTS

Regardless of the project’s size and intricacy, our aim is to surpass expectations through meticulous documentation and exception service. We are committed to delivering projects within agreed time frames and budgets, ensuring complete satisfaction.

Walker Group Architects Ltd. has its origins as far back as 1932 when the first firm, Lewis Walker, was founded in Auckland, New Zealand. It consists of several business unit companies, each focusing on and delivering specialist architectural services across a wide range of project types including residential, urban design, community, commercial, cinema, and interior architecture disciplines.

Walkers have a long history of designing homes, multiresidential projects, and residential interiors. These range from luxury housing to large-scale developments, including apartments and interior fit-outs. We take a holistic team approach with an integrated, total building focus to create inspirational and environmentally sustainable solutions, concentrating on and meeting our client’s expectation through close collaboration is a baseline for us - “we listen .”

Recognising the demands of the modern building and construction industry, we stay abreast of the latest proven technologies and trends, ensuring that we deliver cutting-edge expertise to our valued clients.

“DESIGN excellence in the DELIVERY of enduring successful relevant outcomes with the aim to DELIGHT”

Pink House, Mission Bay

Fun Park, Taupo

PAKURANGA PARK VILLAGE

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

A major redevelopment and expansion project of the existing retirement home facilities on 30 acres of land is proposed for the Pakuranga Park Village off Fortunes Road, Pakuranga. A master plan has been developed with the client to include nine stages of building development around a large central ‘oasis’ park with gardens, fountains, flower beds and tree-scape lawns. Including to a new four level luxury apartment building, a new hospital, a specialist dementia unit, a medical centre with general retail, cafe and pharmacy, several 6-8 level retirement apartment

buildings, a new community centre, pool complexes and supporting servicing/ storage/ parking amenities.

The sequencing of the construction stages is to accommodate the continuing operation of the Village, the retention of and consideration for the existing residences and roading infrastructure, the upkeep of the residents existing amenity and the creation of a new public access and entrance with traffic light controlled intersection on the Pakuranga highway.

The first stage is the beginning of a consenting process and negotiation with the local community to build up support for a more dense bulk of higher quality buildings in a traditional area of single level dwellings and community buildings.

The first stage building is the four level luxury apartment which is positioned opposite the existing three storey apartment block next to the current main entrance of Fortunes Road, to frame the entrance to the site. New tree and flower-bed planting

border each side of the realigned entrance way to promenade the visitor down a future central park. The building bulk is set back from the street and neighbours. It is separated from them by a substantial grassed lawn area with medium scale and large trees.

A large cobbled plaza links the new building with the existing across the new vehicle entrance, to slow the traffic and claim the space for the pedestrian and to offer a generous drop-off for the new building’s entry.

Beyond and behind the building a ramp leads down to the basement with parking for the residents.

A large screen spans over the ground level pedestrian entry, catching and reflecting the sunlight and shadows, providing screen and enclosure for the building’s glazed entrance and building’s atrium beyond.

A four level high ‘green’ wall fills the back of the entry atrium, inviting the visitor to look up to a glazed roof skylight. Wrapped around the atrium a walkway connects

the lift and stairs to the apartment entries. Contrasting timber panel doors and framed glass side panel define entry and welcome the visitor. Apartments surround the atrium on three sides east, north and west and open out to large retiring decks to the sun, air and tree park.

VIADUCT HARBOUR

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: VIADUCT HARBOUR LIMITED

BRINGING BUSINESS TO THE HARBOUR

The Viaduct Harbour is a tidal man-made inlet created off Auckland’s Waitemata harbour. The reclaimed lands surrounding the Viaduct have traditionally supported robust industrial warehouses for boat manufacturing, fishing, timber and raw product storage, their activities requiring little connection to the main port and Auckland's City Centre.

New Zealand Yachting hit the world stage in 1995 with New Zealand’s winning the Americas Cup, creating new demands on this rough area, which resulted in it being transformed into a foreshore playground and promenade for locals and overseas visitors. Businesses associated with the new water activities and New Zealand's high technology industries which had made possible the winning of the cup wanted to bring

their office activities down to this man-made edge, to extend the city business district down to the urban water edge. The result is a development which can recall the buildings of the past, with their solid in-situ concrete walls, small individual windows in classic orders and solid banded bases supported on basalt as the buildings of old, a place that you would expect to still be here in 100 years time. A green park at the foreground, a shared frontage by the offices provide more privacy for the office users and separation from the water edge promenade. More importantly, it brings back the green perimeter to the harbour removed long ago and allows all the offices to partake of the Viaduct’s activities equally. Its users have a more private realm away from the promenade.

PAKURANGA PARK VILLAGE MASTERPLAN

AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: REAL LIVING

The Pakuranga retirement village masterplan was created to enable a 30-year vision for the client. Included 12 stages, some minor options within stages allowed for organised growth, and yet still flexible for potential market changes. We have now fully designed stage 1, a multi story apartment block construction completed 2021, currently working on stage 2 an 8 level hospital and dementia unit.

The entire existing and proposed building for the extensive site has been drawn in CAD 3D; this enables

the client and official residents within the retirement village to get an accurate and definite understanding of the various stages and options and how they influence their unique environment as a village as a whole.

The master plan encompasses a large central park a focus where developments will eventually align.

GULF HARBOUR MARINE APARTMENTS

WHANGAPAROA PENINSULA // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: WILKINSON & DAVIES

Designed in association with Robin Riley, Gulf Harbour is made up of sea side terraced and serviced apartments grouped around a marina on Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Public entry at ground level is provided from a semi private concourse running between the buildings and the marina to the front also providing direct access from the apartments to the private marina berths, similar to the Cote D’Azur. Private vehicle access and double garaging is at the rear into a mixture of multilevel apartments or 2 level Penthouse apartments, serviced by lifts and stairs.

MARKS APARTMENT

AUCKLAND CITY // AUCKLAND

CLIENT: PRIVATE CLIENT

This apartment opens up to the North aspect an to the clients super yacht berthed next to the lounge and entertaining deck area. Our design has attempted to open out to the views of Auckland viaduct harbour, but yet still provides privacy with its focal point of Auckland’s Harbour.

Simple, understated elegance provides a timeless and practical architecture well suited to the client’s active lifestyle. Great care was taken to give prominence to favourite artwork and artefacts and yet still keeping a good balance making the space homely.

COLLEGE & MASON

STONEFIELDS // AUCKLAND

Templeton engaged Walkers to provide masterplanning and then full documentation for a 100 homes development. This sold rapidly off our presentation documentation, the concept was for low cost housing, several house type typologies, and provide a urban neighbourhood that would retain it’s long term value for investor purchasers.

For economy of construction great attention was made for repitition of details and builibility, especially for terrace houses. The Council urban review requested the main corner of the site to be 4 levels, so a small apartment complex was designed to home 9 apartments and create a strong urban corner element in the Stonefields landscape.

WHITFORD HOUSING

WHITFORD // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: PRIVATE

Whitford Village Green is a new type of residential subdivision in New Zealand. Architects have always like the idea of creating a village where they can consider the whole environment. Walkers were originally approached by the client after a visit to our award winning project in Wairakei. The village concept was to be based of this design, but on a much grander scale. Like Wairakei Lodge where a courtyard is at the heart, Whitford Village has a large village green”a public park” we increased the density of dwellings around this park, to include a range of

two level terrace houses and a few 3 level apartment buildings, each wrapping around a small entry court. Besides Walkers designing all these higher density buildings for the village we are also designing each stand alone house for purchasers. This is a unique feature of this subdivision, where concept fees form part of the purchase price of the land. This ensure the village architecture is retained across the whole development and gives buyers confidence that their neighbours property will be of a similar quality and designed to privacy and outlook. Earthworks and services have commenced on site.

WAIWERA MASTER PLAN

WAIWERA // NEW ZEALAND

The intent in this design is to provide Waiwera a heart, a place where a variety of activities can occur, markets, car boot sales, musical events, etc this main space takes the form of a village square where traffic still passes across the northern edge on shared vehicle and pedestrian paving. This intermarrying also adds life and activity to the square. A increase in easily accessible street car parks close to the square is achieved on the secondary road which services the pools, brewery and apartments. At the end of this part of the road is the formal hotel entry court. The car park associated with the hotel also provides greater parking at peak times.

Our vision highlights and makes the most of the unique aspects of the location, such as healthy mineral water, natural hot springs, clean seaside environment etc. The master plan has several elements that other towns in the area don’t have, small public square giving the town a true centre, retail close to the seaside and native bush. A deliberate strong emphasis on health and wellbeing making this the capital of health and wellbeing for the North Island.

ASQUITH AVENUE

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

Alarge Housing New Zealand development for 40 new residences with a central shared park which encompasses and provides connections to the sites existing natural formations.

20 residences are to be 3 and 4 bedroom stand alone or terraced residences on individual sections, under individual titles, accessed directly from the existing streets or from a new single shared driveway.

The developed residence typology comprises a simple readable street facing gable form with open glazed frontage for street permeability.

Its wrap-over wall/ roof junction helps enhances its singular character with glazing cutaway like the gaps in the leafy foliage of a tree. Materials include metal cladding, timber reveals and fine metal glazing bars, natural colour toned to the existing and new basalt walls. Open treed front yard gardens front the streets and landscaped decks and rear landscape gardens open onto the central park.

CLIENT: HOUSING NEW ZEALAND

AIT MARAE

Marae have been part of the community scene and cultural focus of Maoridom for centuries.

This city based AIT Marae is prominently sited on the corner of St Paul’s and Wellesley Streets and faces directly onto Symonds Street. The desire to develop an AIT Marae grew over many years, and in 1994 a working party was convened consisting of AIT Maori groups and other stakeholders. As a result, a Marae that was appropriate for AIT purposes was completed soon after, with Walker Community Architects as project leaders.

The scope of the project comprised the Marae and courtyard development with lower level car parking, as well as all servicing requirements, and fencing and landscaping to create the sheltered environment required.

The project was successfully tendered and constructed during 1996 and 1997, and with the addition of traditionally carved barge boards, panels and posts produced by Maori craftsmen the building has become a significant feature of the campus and city.

AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND

URBAN

MILLBROOK COUNTRY CLUB

QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: MILLBROOK

Millbrook is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading golf resorts and is located within walking distance to Arrowtown and a 15-minute drive to Queenstown. The resort hems the fairways with a combination of hotel accommodation and private homes. With established and proven design guidelines monitored by a review board, the resort has been able to maintain a high level of design while maintaining the resort’s original theme.

McEntyre’s Tarn is a small subdivision being developed by the property arm of Millbrook. The brief was to design five homes with an average size of 200m2 over looking the green to the second hole. The design incorporates three bedrooms, study/TV room, open plan kitchen, dining and living with a strong focus on outdoor entertaining.

Homes are to be priced at a midpoint level for the resort, with a target market of existing apartment owners thinking of moving up or people not wanting the larger existing homes.

HADY APARTMENT

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: PRIVATE CLIENT

Two existing small apartments on level 15 were converted into one home, a modern sophisticated and understated approach was taken, our in depth knowledge of the existing high rise tower enabled a cost effective refurbishment navigating the complex existing services and structure.

The apartment was designed, drawn and built in very short period, our choice and use of materials were also constrained to the existing lift size and the noise of use, as the building is fully occupied.

MAHURANGI FOREST ESTATE

PUHOI // NEW ZEALAND

Walker Urban design and landscapes undertook a report, in conjunction with other consultants, into the feasibility of creating a new town on a privately owned property . This was seen as an opportunity to utilise existing poor grade land to provide an eco friendly response to Auckland’s expansion needs with good links thanks to the proposed northern motorway. Our concept created one larger town along with a series of smaller villages and an eco focussed university. These were to be nestled within an extensive newly created forest reserve set up in three zones for the locals and visitors to make use of. These zones were Living and recreation, Education and research as well as ecological tourism.

CLIENT: ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL GROUP (NZ) LTD

SARGENSEN APARTMENTS

TAKAPUNA // NEW ZEALAND

Our commission was to provide a master plan of the entire block comprising of eight apartment blocks. The first stage comprised of 2 of our highly efficient and compact apartment towers. The design has a central core minimising the common space and helping gain maximum returns for the developer. Due to its great location, the units were designed to maximise the outlook and privacy. The careful use of economic materials with a few quality natural highlight materials provides an elegant building with a distinctive New Zealand presence

TAUPO OFFICES

Using timber for building construction offers a variety of benefits. Not only is it a warm, tactile and aesthetically-pleasing material, it also boasts a broad range of structural, sustainable and cost-effective attributes. One of the most distinguishing factors for timber is that it is an environmentally-friendly and renewable material used in construction over many thousands of years. Timber also stores carbon and has low embodied energy - making it a far more environmentally-friendly option than steel or concrete.

A locally sourced material, wood is readily available throughout New Zealand and so contributes to the local economy and reduces the cost and energy required for transportation of building materials over long distances. Timber prefabricated to a high degree with well detailed

structural connections can significantly reduce construction time. Thorough timber construction can save time in labour, transport, health and safety, and disposal; making it a cost-efficient construction method. Timber can achieve high levels of structural performance in building, particularly through extreme events such as earthquakes or fires. It also weighs far less than steel or concrete, reducing foundation costs as timber construction limits the structural demands on the foundations. Timber is a good insulator especially when used in windows, doors and floors and will help reduce the energy output for heating.

TAUPO // NEW ZEALAND

LONG BAY MARKETPLACE

The innovative principle was an idea from Nigel Mckenna of Templeton, our challenge as their architects was getting so many uses on one site. The design we created also had flexibility built in providing the project and eventually the built building adapt more easily over time to different uses, our brief also included masterplanning and adaption of existing minor retail and eateries in Long bay.

The market place was the most difficult element of the building with its specific servicing requirements, large population planed at certain events and a desire to gain shelter and good winter sun light.  Large automatic glazed tilt doors open up allowing for greater canopy

area and openness of market during less windy days. The hotel has its orientation to the sun and views of the coastline of Long bay while the spa gains good views and upper level private landscaped gardens.

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL CONCEPT

‘A Third Way’ is our proposition to leave the earthquakedamaged Christchurch cathedral as a preserved ruin and which would allow for a new purpose built cathedral to suit the modern requirements of the Anglican Church on another site. This option would add a valuable historical ruin to the few that exist today in New Zealand, as a raw and lasting reminder of the natural disaster that struck the heart of Christchurch.

Part One - The Glowing Cross, allows people to experience the interior of the cathedral while remaining sympathetic to the history, significance and religious affiliations of the Anglican Church. A reinforced glass/acrylic enclosed passageway in the shape of a cross ascends from the subterranean in the square, up through the nave and to the altar – offering unprecedented views of the post-earthquake cathedral. This new structure would be designed to withstand earthquakes and falling debris. The northern part of this cross is elongated to allow egress through the northern door

CHRISTCHURCH // NEW ZEALAND

‘A THIRD WAY’

out to the square. The glowing cross embodies the divinity of the church while remaining as a public amenity to be used for tourism, education and science. The new passageway hopes to not only reconnect the people with the cathedral but also to the square; allowing it to become the lively heart of the city that it formerly was.

Part two - Image of the Past, treats the cathedral more as a spectacle to view, rather than interactively experience. The glass passageway from the previous concept is not included. Instead, the western wall is completely glazed with a lattice of steel structure and glass; engraved with the facade details of the original western wall and porch. The interior of the cathedral will be well lit, with up-lights that silhouette the many columns, arches and stone detailing; displaying the glowing interior like a lantern in the night.

HOTEL DEBRETT

AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND

The iconic Hotel DeBrett has beenstylishly re-interpreted into a 25-room boutique hotel, with everyroom individually designed and complimented with eclectic furniture, New Zealand art and photography.

Walker Commercial collaborated on the concept with client Michelle Deery and Mitchinson Simiona Architects, who completed project and documentation for the exterior design, while we handled design of the atrium space and lighting as well as upgrading the ground floor to suit the need of boutique retail. The interior spaces were done in collaboration with Martin Hughes Interior Architects.

The Hotel won the 2009 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award (Heritage Category), Bronze at the 2009 DINZ Best Awards in the Hospitality category and was Division Winner at the 2010 NZRIA RED Awards. It also made it onto the World Architecture News Retail Interiors Award (a leading European design competition) ‘long list’ in the Hotel category.

WESTPAC

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

Walker Commercial were chosen to participate in a (paid) 2-way creative pitch to create Westpac’s Bank of the future flagship branch in Auckland’s Queen Street. The brief comprised new customer and staff areas on the ground floor but excluded major shopfront work.

We proposed a way different style of banking. One in which the bank customer was the focus and would encourage better access to the branch while minimising staff time. We focussed on customer engagement and features which would draw customers and passers-by alike into the branch. We proposed a concierge station at the entry, simplified access to ATMs and

spaces to promote Westpac’s business customer. New technology allowed us to largely remove barriers between customers and staff. We also proposed electronic systems to further facilitate increased customer interaction while reducing staff “face time”. Our coffee caravan has resulted in significant additional business for the bank as staff are able to use iPads to prospect amount customers and drop-in coffee customers alike.

Our scheme was passed to the bank’s regular architects (as per our contract) for implementation, who adapted it in accordance with a refined client brief but most features and the general floor plan remain.

SENTINEL APARTMENTS

NEW ZEALAND TALLEST APARTMENT TOWER

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: CORNERSTONE

Standing at over 140m high in total with 30 stories the Sentinel is New Zealand’s tallest all apartment building. Floor to ceiling glazing affords outstanding grandstand views of the Hauraki Gulf coastline North and East and Auckland City to the South. The simple square building shape has a highly efficient served core, a simple cost

effective structure and its scale permits a variety of different sized spacious quality apartments. Decks are punched in for protection from high winds and for clarity of form. Perimeter columns dominate spandrels and continue up to form the arched head of the Sentinel.

POST OFFICE CAFE

QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND

The owners of the successful Queenstown restaurant brands of Wai, Finz & Bella Caucina approach Walker’s to be part of a limited design competition.

Our concept was to design relaxed cafe that referenced back to the Kiwi bach and slower pace of holiday life. Materials followed this theme with the use of timber floors, weather boards and pendant lights. Ceiling panels are used to provide a visual break between the exposed structure above.

To contrast the public space a private dining room was designed to cater for cafe over flow and private bookings.

The cafe is located in the new Post Office Precinct developed by Ngai Tahu.

GOLD CLASS CINEMAS

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: SKYCITY

NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIER CINEMA EXPERIENCE

G old Class cinemas offer operators the chance to attract a different clientele, usually in more intimate surroundings more in keeping with the mode of movies being screened.

The team at Walker Group Architects are passionate about design and pride themselves on the professionalism they bring to all aspects of their work. The field of cinema and entertainment is both fast growing and technically

challenging. It is crucial that any company involved in this area of design is well versed with these changes and developments. Walker Group Architects understands and recognises this need for innovative design. We are dedicated to being a world leader in this special field of architecture

LDS TEMPLE VIEW STAKE CENTRE

4 000m2 large multi-use Stake Centre community building, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, incorporating a chapel, cultural hall, teaching blocks and administration areas. The architecture is sympathetic to the neighbouring temple and existing temple view precinct with its 1950’s American style overtone.

The attention to materials and detail is reflective of the importance of this building’s juxtaposition and relationship to the temple. The strong axis through the building, including its one large interior courtyard, is extended out into the extensively landscaped grounds. The building’s design is based on a notion of simple, honest materials, with an elegance and yet understated presence. The building is in the construction phase.

HAMILTON // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

LDS MENDENHALL LIBRARY

HAMILTON // NEW ZEALAND

CLIENT: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

This resources and archive centre located within the main Templeview site was a very demanding project, from initial concept design to its current status of construction and administering the contract. Our design on one aspect is refurbishment to the exterior of the building in strict accordance H with the original 1950’s architecture and NZ historical Places criteria. A central new link and main foyer were integrated into the existing fabric of the building in a highly modern and contrasting fashion - “structural glazed element”.

The building construction has been challenging due to many structural last minute changes, as the building’s original structure was less sound than first thought, involving

enormous efforts of all consultants trying to overcome the structural intrusions within the architecture without reducing the overall architectural intent and impact.

The finishes of this building like the new Temple View Stake Centre is to have simple, honest materials and to be the same pallet for consistency and forming a template for the Temple View architecture for future development. Like an orchestra, all associated buildings of Temple View are different yet encompass a harmony.

NZIA HERITAGE AWARD 2018

SAMOAN CONSULATE

SOUTH AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

T he project consists campus style development with two building, a three level consulate office of approximately 1500 square metres, one level consulate offices, one commercial office floor and a level of ground floor retail, a separate traditional Fale building seating over 450 people which we believe to be the largest in the world, a formal Malae or traditional gathering area and an associated 55 space car park.

The openness of the traditional Malae and transparency through the adjacent office building at ground level provides clear sight-lines that reinforce the legibility of entry points into and out of this space allowing a high level of passive surveillance at all times. From within the Malae, view corridors connect back to the Mangere town centre. From within the office building, strong visual connections were created from the north facing gathering areas and balconies. At ground level, physical connections from the retail level and Fale link these main internal spaces together worldwide was made easy via the internet.

CLIENT: GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA

TAUPO HOTEL

The essence of this proposal is to create a building that is well suited to Taupo’s needs, an honest and lasting quality where its architecture and presence reflects the New Zealand environment and local culture it’s placed within.

A unique feature of this hotel is the open air roof top restaurant, bar, and health club which have outstanding views of Lake Taupo and surrounding mountains.

TAUPO // NEW ZEALAND