38 | Medium density work on the increase T T Kelly Deeks The two units on a steep site in Central Dunedin, took home a Commended Award in the Residential Interiors category and the 2021 Regional Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling Award. Photos: Graham Warman Photography ARCHITECTURE ADNZ: Eco Workshop A career in architecture provides rewards and awards to Bevan Wood of Dunedin’s Eco Workshop, as he works alongside his co-directors on a range of residential projects from small renovations to brand new builds, each time trying to achieve the best possible result for the clients. Bevan, Sholto Lee, Sarah Teasdale, and Sarah-Jane Copeland bought the business from their employer in January 2020, and they continue to deal with the uncertainties of owning a business in the post-Covid environment. The skyrocketing costs of construction, which Bevan says are now up 20% on last year, are causing some reluctance in the marketplace to begin new projects, as is the struggle many are finding to get any certainty around their lending. Bevan remembers the grim times of the GFC back in 2008. “What we really took away from that experience was that things can change very quickly and as a business owner, you need to plan as best you can.” Recent changes to the Dunedin District Plan, in response to increased demand for housing, have brought more medium-density demand to Eco Workshop’s door. “These changes allow for more density, smaller section sizes, and flexibility around the family flats rule, where a secondary dwelling on the same title can now be rented out. Everyone is aware of the demand for housing, and medium density is something we are looking to do more of.” Eco Workshop has already completed a very successful medium density development, with Bevan sharing a project and two awards from the 2021 Otago/Southland Regional ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards with Richard Wilden of Richard Wilden Design. The pair collaborated together along with Sarah-Jane on a clever rental housing development called Glynllifon on an impossibly steep site in central Dunedin, and took home a Commended Award in the Residential Interiors category and the 2021 Regional Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling Award. “It was really amazing how much these awards raised our profile, how many people were aware of the units, and how many people were aware of the awards.” The project was for a fantastic couple who were looking to add some accommodation to the front of their central city section. Bevan says they are the type of clients necessary for an award-winning project, and they had a huge part in making this project a success. “Within the brief were a couple of very small, self-contained units suitable for short term accommodation. It was such a rewarding project, the design process went smoothly, the clients were amazing, the builder was really good, and everything came together beautifully.” The judges liked the designers’ concept, their use of materials, and the ethos that was behind the project. “Which was more about a positive contriwww.directroofing.co.nz Ph. 03 453 3129 We will solve all your roofing problems TC1/TC2/TC3 Slab Design We are pleased to provide structural engineering services to Eco Workshop If you are building or renovating in Dunedin, choose SB2 Build New Builds • Renovations • Commercial Proudly supporting Eco Workshop 027 479 7532 info@sb2build.co.nz www.sb2build.co.nz
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