78 | Voxell Architecture T T Kelly Deeks Historical influence to new design The proposed design is a three-level structure with five retail units and six apartments on the ground floor, 14 apartments on the first floor, and 11 apartments on the third floor. ARCHITECTURE On a prominent corner of Jackson Street and surrounded by heritage buildings, the new Stellin Apartments, heavily influenced by the history and context of their site, are set make a positive contribution to the character of this unique business district. Designed by Wellington-based architecture and urban design firm Voxell, in collaboration with client Jackson Street Holdings, Stellin Apartments is a mixed-use development on a site with three separate legal titles, and comprising six separate structures. All of these buildings were constructed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries and except for the Stellin Building, they all underwent significant modifications in the mid-20th century. These changes were partly driven by the Petone Street Realignment Project which saw Jackson Street widened and some of its buildings pushed back from the street, including two of the buildings on the Stellin Apartments development site. “So we decided to construct a new building that would contribute positively to the character of Jackson Street.” The intention was originally to retain and redevelop these existing buildings however the project team ultimately concluded that most, perhaps all, of their historical value had been lost and the required redevelopment work would be impractical and commercially unviable. “So we decided to construct a new building that would contribute positively to the character of Jackson Street,” says Voxell founder and managing director Zak Kljakovic. “The complexity around this project is that Petone has a planning framework with design guides and best practices in place, so you can’t go and do as you please. “We had to ensure we adhered to the Council’s framework, create some consistency across the streetscape, and present an outcome that everyone was happy with - the client, the Council, and the whole consulting team.” To achieve a masterplan strategy for the site, the design team at Voxell drew inspiration from the proportions, fenestration, and façade rhythm of the original historical buildings. One example of this can be seen with the emphasis of the horizontal language by utilising material massing and negative detailing, which was informed by the historical cornice and decorative lines found on one of the original buildings. The proposed design is a three-level structure with five retail units and six apartments on the ground floor, 14 apartments on the first floor, and 11 apartments on the third floor. The apartments are a combination of studio and one and two-bedroom units, several with dual key options. The project has now received a resource consent and Zak says this has been the biggest milestone so far due to the challenges of the site and the project. Building consent will be sought in the near future. Zak lives in Petone and says it’s a privilege to be able to bring something positive to his own community. “It’s a great outcome for the city, for Petone, and for the client that it’s got across the line from a compliance perspective. Now we’ve got to follow that through to completion.” Voxell’s core focus is on apartments, infill townhouse developments, large scale master planning, mixed use projects, and a small amount of high-end bespoke housing. “At Voxell, our primary focus revolves around residential projects, with an emphasis on crafting designs for higher density settings. Despite the current market downturn, the demand for quality living environments remains strong. Our dedication to this market specialisation drives us to consistently add maximum value for both the end user and our clients.” Voxell is a team of young, energetic, and capable professionals dedicated to improving the built environment with every project they take on. They strive to create innovative architectural designs and comfortable, inviting spaces for people to truly enjoy. Find out your project costs before you get started. We provide quantity surveying services for a broad spectrum of work — from residential costings, through to seismic strengthening and commercial buildings. Get in touch and learn how we can assist you on your next project. Quantity Surveyors proud to be involved with Voxell
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