Business North September 2020

108 | Volume 19 | Issue 3 businessnorth ARCHITECTURE » Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects Collaborative approach for design excellence Construction is underway on the Plus Pacific Tower on the corner of Great North and Buscomb Avenue in Henderson. The building will have 67 apartments. Sue Russell M att Pearson leads a dedicated and passion- ate team of architects and designers at Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architect’s Auck- land studio in Parnell, near the heart of the city. HMOA is an award-winning practice founded in 1997 by its Wellington directors, Max Herriot and John Melhuish. Matt came on board as Auckland director 3 ½ years ago and now has three other Registered Architects in the Parnell studio, along- side two architectural graduates working towards their registration. As well as Auckland and Wellington, HMOA has an office in Christchurch led by Duval O’Neill while Registered Architect, Jenny Duck, takes care of projects from the Tauranga studio. HMOA is known for its collaborative approach and the four studios exemplify this. Directors regularly fly between offices to meet with clients and catch-up with colleagues, and work is shared between studios depending on a particu- lar skillset that is best suited to a project. Use of the latest technology, like the architectural modelling software Revit, further allows for a seam- less collaboration between studios. One of the most exciting projects underway for Matt right now is an ambitious 15-storey apartment block, the Plus Pacific Tower, being constructed on the corner of Great North and Buscomb Avenue in Henderson. The building has 67 apartments, including a penthouse, three retails spaces, vehicle access to a car-stacker and a central lobby. The project brief included the desire for a restrained aesthetic. The colour-scheme reflects the simple, visually appealing design with dark grey metal panels, upper-level white painted concrete fins and inset timber. The apartments’ living spaces are positioned to allow optimal access to sun and to afford wonder- ful views across to the Waitakere Ranges in the distance. The building is using a concrete construction method common in South Korea, but not so readily used here. “Building using this method of concrete con- struction is really labour intensive,” says Matt. “It’s skilled work to control concrete with boxing but it’s a system the South Koreans are very good at and the end result is that you get a big solid concrete building.” Another advantage in using concrete is that it re- duces reliance on a number of suppliers who would normally input into a buildings construction. The principle overall aesthetic is exemplified by the quality detailing that also conceals service penetrations. The form of the building is generated from its strong base from levels 1 - 10. The upper levels are recessed to allow for the upper levels of the building to sit lightly on the base with white painted external structural concrete fins and glass cladding. Matt says he is conscious of how a building’s look can date so tends to design restrained facades as these have a timeless quality to them. “I’m drawn toward structures that look elegant, simple and ordered.” Underpinning Plus Pacific Tower are several substantial piles and the ground work went well with the very dry summer, however placement of the ground beams was impacted with the level 4 Covid-19 lockdown. Inside, the apartments will have a subdued pallet of grey, white, fawn with floor to ceiling double- glazed windows creating a sense of openness and space. Each two bedroom unit has two tiled bathrooms and a highly-appointed kitchen. With the interruption of lock-down Matt believes the build has another 12 months or so to go. The Auckland studio has a number of other apartment projects on the go including a couple of projects for Housing NZ. There are also terraced housing and a range of new homes on the books. It’s the variety Matt and his team enjoy. “I’ve been designing apartments since the 90s so I tend to attract a lot of multi-unit residential clients but HMOA has a varied portfolio. “From a range of commercial projects, includ- ing in the education and health sectors, to urban design and master planning to new houses and renovations. Every HMOA project is director-led and receives our personalised approach.” As for the team, Matt says its critical to find the right fit when considering new colleagues joining the practise. “Our strong culture of collaboration, the desire to create beautifully-crafted architecture from the input of many, has led to the reputation HMOA enjoys today.” LAND SURVEYORS & LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Our scope of work encompasses Rural, Residential and Commercial Properties Ph: 09 524 2723 | info@hgsurveyors.co.nz | hgsurveyors.co.nz OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: · Resource consent applications for subdivision and land use · Topographical and site surveys · GPS surveys · GIS data collection surveys · Photogrammetric photo survey control · Precise set out for horizontal and vertical control of high rise buildings · Boundary definition surveys · Subdivision engineering design · Sports venue set out · Monitoring of land settlement HOLLIER GREIG LTD Controls Plus with 17 years of experience in Electrical and Electrical for Mechanical. 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