58 | ARCHITECTURE Common Ltd T T Kim Newth Award fitting end to design journey On the flatter parts of the site townhouses were developed around a quadrant lawn. Clever design solutions to complex problems was a recurrent theme in successful projects at this year’s NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards. Erskine, by Christchurch-based architectural practice Common Ltd, which won a Multi-Unit Housing Award, illustrates the theme perfectly. Tobin Smith, of Common Ltd, recalls first putting pen to paper in 2016 not long after meeting visionary Wellington developer Ian Cassels of The Wellington Company, who had big plans for a large, heritage listed former Catholic school site overlooking Island Bay. Having purchased the 18,000 sqm site decades ago, Ian was excited to have finally gained approval to develop the land as a Special Housing Area (SHA). “We have actually done two projects with Ian in Wellington,” explains Tobin. “In 2020 we got an award for Patetutu, a 56-unit development on a flat site in Petone but we started on the Erskine project before that and carried on with it after that too. Erskine includes steep topography, a heritage dimension and comprises almost twice as many dwellings as Patetutu. With 15 different residential typologies, Erskine was not a cut and paste exercise by any stretch. There were also multiple interested parties involved. It was really challenging but so enjoyable too!” The heritage buildings on site, including a school building, a chapel and a dormitory building, were deemed earthquake risks and hadn’t been used for many years. The gorgeous chapel has been strengthened and restored as part of the Erskine development and the dormitory has been converted into apartments. Unfortunately, the old school building could not be saved. French gothic in style, the chapel’s steep roof inspired the sharp gable roof elements in many of the homes in this unique development, with gable roof forms also creating a sense of individuality for each house. Where there were houses in close proximity to each other, with a need to preserve outlook and light, mono pitch roofing has been used instead. In the project’s early stages, masterplanning focus groups were held with Sydney-based DJRD Architects to work through creative solutions for the massive site. “We broke it down into bite-sized pieces, with five different areas with different constraints. For example, Zone A had quite steep topography and was elevated at the top, whereas Zone B was the school’s old hockey ground so the site was flatter, [enabling development of townhouses around a quadrant lawn]. Each area had different characteristics that needed a different design response.” An important part of the project brief was for this to be an inclusive development. It includes one- to four-bedroom units and everything in between. Some have built-in garaging while others have remote garaging and walk-up access only. “The whole development has been designed to appeal to first home buyers and families as well as people who have lived in Island Bay for a long time and want something smaller and easier to maintain.” Tobin has been in practice for 18 years, with a successful track record in townhouse design. Erskine highlights demonstrable excellence in design on a large multi-unit project of considerable complexity. Over the past five or six years, from design to completion, Tobin flew up to Wellington every Thursday to spend time on site and meet with contractors and clients. It has been a big undertaking, but with the chapel now fully restored and the development completed and occupied, he is thrilled with how it has all come together. “One of the most rewarding moments for me was when a woman who leads the local residents’ association messaged me to say, ‘you have designed such a good project’. When you get that kind of feedback from people living there, you forget about all the micro-challenges along the way because you know the final outcome is worthwhile and delivering everything we had hoped for.” A well-established joinery manufacturer, providing kitchens & joinery to our clients. We have a vast capacity and are renowned NZ wide. Always Professional, Always Reliable, Always Efficient PROUD TO SUPPORT COMMON PARAPARAUMU • WELLINGTON • LEVIN www.brienelectrical.co.nz Freephone 0800 TEAMBRIEN Freephone 0800 832627 Electrical Contracting and Project Management • Electrical Design & Planning Services Air-Conditioning Install & Maintenance • Commercial Lighting & Switching • Electrical Maintenance & Periodic Inspections • BWOF and EWOF, IQP Accredited • Fire Alarm Systems & Emergency Lighting • Additions & Alterations • Free Quotes for any project wwac@outlook.co.nz 022 353 4980 • CEILING SPECIALIST • ACOUSTIC SOLUTIONS • PARTITIONING Wellington Walls and Ceilings Ltd WE HAVE WELLINGTON COVERED. Kane Hanna | Managing Director
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