66 | HWA T T Kim Newth Combining technology with design flair HWA is making a positive contribution in its own right through various community group projects. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN RENOVAT IONS | NEW BU I LDS E: of fice@efconstruction.co.nz P: 027 412 2088 www.efconstruction.co.nz Construction Cloud Reseller Specialization Architecture, Engineering & Construction Revit Build Having moved to Porirua as a good place to raise a family 12 years ago, local architectural designer Hamish Wakefield finds much to admire about this vibrant city, north of Wellington. His forward thinking and innovative design studio, HWA, based in Porirua, focusses on bespoke, high quality residential and commercial projects in the city and beyond. “There are some really good people here working to realise the potential of Porirua and push the city forward; I’m excited to be working alongside them,” says Hamish. “Building sites in this area have great access to sun and amazing views, so designing for Porirua is a real privilege.” Working in collaboration with their clients, HWA offers a design driven approach that also makes use of advancing technology to ensure successful outcomes. The studio has a track record of designing beautiful new homes, often on tricky hill slopes with featured projects including executive homes throughout Aotea, Whitby and the Silverwood Estate as well as lifestyle homes tailored for central coast landscapes. We’re working on two large homes within rural settings, as well as a couple of new smaller suburban homes and substantial alterations in the area.” HWA also works with developers on select medium density development. “We enjoy working with developers who want to hold units for the long term as part of their property portfolios. They are generally seeking higher quality and wanting to create developments of lasting value.” Over the past decade, Porirua’s population has been steadily growing at a rate of around 1% per annum. According to the Porirua Growth Strategy, this growth is expected to ramp up to 1.5% to 1.7% through to 2048. Hamish is cautiously optimistic about the potential for this ongoing growth to unlock a brighter future for Porirua but would like to see a greater priority put on developing the right infrastructure to support growth. “By infrastructure, I don’t just mean pipes and transport but appropriately dedicated amenities and services like community hubs, office spaces for small businesses, wellness facilities and appropriately sized schools. The potential of these features within the community has been squeezed out in lieu of new housing development. That has been the experience here over the past few years, with 1% annual population growth. “If we are going to grow even faster, it’s going to take some broader thinking. Rather than houses being built first, what I would really like to see is communities being planned around schools, healthcare and good social connectivity.” HWA is making a positive contribution in its own right through various community group projects. For example, the studio has recently finished designing the new Levin-Waitarere Surf Lifesaving Clubrooms and is about to submit building consent on another surf club building at Paekākāriki among smaller community projects.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=