80 | ARCHITECTURE Ashton Mitchell Ltd: Galway Street Apartments Successfully delivering projects across the North Island for over 90 years Cost Management | Development Management | Project Funder Services Sustainability | Rebuild Estimates | Dispute Resolution Auckland +64 9 303 4394 | Hamilton +64 7 211 7926 Wellington +64 4 499 1468 | Queenstown +64 3 442 596 www.maltbys.co.nz We love to imagine and create quality neighbourhoods We do this by designing, developing and execu�ng with care, passion and skill. Let’s work together on your next project. 09 222 2445 www.civilplan.co.nz Planning Surveying Engineering Project Management Ashton Mitchell has had three of their multi-unit residential projects recognised at the 2021 Property Council New Zealand Rider Bucknall Property Industry Awards, including the Galway Street Apartments. Ben Sando, a Director at Auckland’s Ashton Mitchell Ltd architecture practice says that it is an exciting time to be working on community, social and multi-unit residential projects. With a strong push from agencies such a Kāinga Ora to deliver a much better standard of living to those traditionally provided with ‘state housing’ under the old model, there’s an equally strong trend to create living environments that sit well in the community and offer residents a good quality of life. “I’ve always been interested in creating architecture that is both environmentally and socially sustainable- architecture that gives back to its community. I decided this was a way I could use my skills to contribute to society. Ben has been with Ashton Mitchell Ltd 10 years and describes its culture as progressive and engaging; a company with drive and purpose employing an array of professionals from all backgrounds. He also describes the social housing space as very competitive in Auckland as Kāinga Ora has gained momentum, backed by strong central housing policy. “When we first started working for them, they were only building 100 or so houses a year and now they are constructing thousands. It’s provided a great opportunity to replace old housing stock and build in new places as well and to do it in a way that engages the community and will stand the test of time.” And with a long track record servicing that housing market Ben says Ashton Mitchell Ltd is well placed to deliver projects efficiently, effectively and to budget. And reflecting that capability, Ashton Mitchell has had three of their multi-unit residential projects recognised at the 2021 Property Council New Zealand Rider Bucknall Property Industry Awards. A Merit Award in the Community and Affordable Housing category was given for the Galway Street Apartments project commissioned by Kāinga Ora and built by Bracewell Construction. The project involved building two apartment buildings toward the centre of the site in O. Placement constraints for the multi-storey blocks, was dictated by the fact there was existing residential neighbours to consider, and ensuring that the buildings each received good levels of sunlight coupled with developing common landscaping for residents to share. Ben describes the project as exciting given the need to take so many factors into consideration. Sue Russell “We avoided south facing living areas by having building A on a Northern axis and Building B on an East-West axis. We were also very mindful of the scale of the buildings and a priority was to break down the scale of the buildings into something more human and how we achieved this was to use the structural elements as focus points.” Changes in materials used allowed the façade to be divided, giving distinction and sense of space to each unit, something Ben believes is really important for residents to feel. “It matters that they can identify their own unit and by having recessed balconies to look at the building has an attractive engaging sense to it.” To arrive at the final designs took time and patience as Ben and the team worked through a number of master plan schemes. “Kāinga Ora like to test out every option under the sun! They even looked at one option which was one big building, but by having the two blocks we’ve been able to centre attention on a shared outside area, for all the residents to enjoy.” Underpinning the final design were several key-drivers: The use of robust material in the form Design that meets ‘a myriad of needs’ of precast concrete. While being a modular element it answered other structural needs, including meeting fire-engineering requirements, acoustic issues, it’s maintenance and longevity. Using concrete in a way that celebrates the material but on a human scale. Adding texture to the concrete akin to rough-sawn timber look added visually to the material. Privacy screens on and canopies over the balconies for privacy. The subtle use of colour to accent distinct spaces. Ben says that, often, working with limitations and constraints, results in a really creative architectural answer. “I think that’s the part of this work that I most enjoy. Problem-solving and ensuring the building’s design meets a myriad of needs well while delivering a space that provides a very good standard of living.” “It matters that they can identify their own unit and by having recessed balconies to look at the building has an attractive engaging sense to it.”
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