News & Updates
We are thrilled and honoured to have had three of our projects shortlisted for awards around the country in multiple categories.
The Awards Jury convenor Jane Aimer noted;
Making the shortlist is a significant achievement, especially in what was a bumper year. The shortlist includes outstanding examples of the wide range of buildings that architects design, from schools, offices and public buildings to houses and apartments”
Auckland, Housing Multi Unit – Walter Merton Terraces, Hobsonville Point
Auckland, Housing Alterations and Additions – 2@4 in 1 House, Three Kings
Waikato Bay of Plenty, Planning & Urban Design – Temple View Project, Hamilton
It’s certainly been a busy 2019 and with that, Construkt has recently hired two new staff members, each bringing their own unique and diverse sets of skills and expertise to the practice.
Leticia Silva– Architectural Graduate
Brazilian born, Leticia transitioned into her architectural education as a mature student and has spent the past 12+ years practicing as an Architectural Designer. Her experience has been equally split between Canada and New Zealand.Leticia has developed her skills and expertise across a wide range of projects including single residential homes, large-scale commercial, interior design, educational and hospitality projects.
Genevieve Lim– Architectural Graduate
Born in Singapore, Genevieve brings 15+ years of overseas and local experience in both interior and architectural design in the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, China and New Zealand. Her experience in design management with one of Beijing’s top boutique property developers further adds to her versatility as a designer.She sees each project as an opportunity to engage with the client, the site and the brief to create a unique and innovative masterpiece.
Madushin Amarasekera of Construkt Associates Ltd received the Resene Colour in Design Award and a highly commended award for Hobsonville Point Road Terraces, a multi-unit development in Hobsonville, Auckland.In this development of two blocks with nine units in each, a mix of three and four-bedroom units are paired with two-bedroom units. “Grouping the units together through the extension of the roof has created a simple ‘module’ and ensures a strong, defined roofline along the street edge,” the judges said. They also praised the way the tightly planned townhouses present a “pleasing syncopated rhythm to the street”.
http://www.defign.co.nz/blog/auckland-architecture-winners-announced#.XT9-vZMza3A
Incredibly proud of our team being the architects for the Northern Glen Innes redevelopment project. In partnership with Creating Communities Limited and Ashton Mitchell Architects, the project received the Excellence Award in the Multi-Unit Residential Property category.
https://www.propertynz.co.nz/news/2019-property-industry-awards-winners-announced
Citation from the NZIA Awards Jury; “Controlling costs – at whatever price point – while observing the requirements of the masterplan and other planning rules is not easy anywhere in Auckland, and probably nowhere has it been more difficult than in Hobsonville Point. This project by Construkt features three- and four-bedroom terrace units, with double garages, double-height glazing, courtyards opening directly from generous ground-floor living areas, and balconies off the master bedroom upstairs. The forms were required to be kept simple, with no membrane , parapet, internal guttering or other complications to the roofline, the result is a clean and deceptively simple row of bright brick, wood and steel homes. An elegant addition to the street that’s comfortable and extremely pleasant to live in.”
https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/8283
https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/2019-auckland-architecture-awards/
We are happy to announce that David Gibbs’ services to planning have been recognised by the New Zealand Planning Institute. David was presented the Alfred O. Glasse Award at the NZPI Annual Conference held in Napier this past weekend. The award recognises “outstanding services to planning by non-planners”. As founding Director of Construkt Associates, David has been heavily involved in the masterplanning of award-winning residential communities at Hobsonville Point and Long Bay. Outside of his practice, David has over a very long period of time contributed his expertise on a pro bono basis to a number of resource management and environmental campaigns.
https://www.planning.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=1972
Construkt are proud to announce that staff members Louise Li and Kirsten Zink have completed the process to become Registered Architects.
The path to registration demands dedicated study and hard work – requiring both a written case study to show their comprehensive experience and knowledge of the profession, and a three-hour interview with the registration committee. We congratulate Louise and Kirsten on such a significant achievement.
They say that their study groups and discussions with architects were an extremely useful part of the learning experience. After months full of evenings and weekends devoted to study and preparation, they feel the process has prepared them for this next stage of their careers. They are both very pleased to end the year on a high note.
A dedicated team at Construkt have developed a masterplan for the wider residential area and a range of housing typologies to suit the client’s brief and the site. Directors David and Russell recently took part in a public meeting to help inform locals about the project. The design for the first stage, covering over 70 dwellings, is on track to be lodged for Resource Consent before Christmas.
Peter Cooney, spokesperson for Classic Developments, said the development is pitched at families, first home buyers and retirees who are wanting affordable but good quality homes and living environments.
Key design considerations are to create a legible street network, provide visual and physical connections to the public reserve that will run along the stream corridor, and design houses with a strong street presence.
A lot of creative thinking goes in to forming an architectural language suited to a project. For Drury a combination of asymmetrical gable roof forms, large openings, and a contrasting material palette are used in various ways across the housing typologies to create visually interesting streetscape. Buildability has also been considered at this early stage, the designs follow standard construction methods to help meet the affordability targets.
We enjoy working with the highly skilled project team who are all driven to see results.
The Peacocke Growth Area has been strategically selected (alongside Rotokauri, Rototuna, and Ruakura) to accommodate Hamilton’s urban expansion.
Construkt have been busy developing a masterplan, designing housing typologies, and planning concepts for the neighbourhood centre as part of Stage 1 of the Peacocke area, for Northview Capital Ltd. The client’s design-focused brief has encouraged the team toward a comprehensive response.
The development of the Peacocke Growth Area will be characterised by its relationship with the large green reserves that spread through the interior of the site, expanding the existing natural environment, and enhancing the banks of the Waikato River.
The proposed residential neighbourhoods are linked by the reserve network and the interconnected transport corridors. Areas designated as community focal points are located at key intersections across the site.
An urban design review last week with Hamilton City Council’s Urban Design Advisory Panel was held on-site at the client’s suggestion. The on-site meeting was insightful, it allowed for the design proposal to be discussed and understood as a response to the specific conditions across the site.
Word of mouth is that the council found the site walkover “ground breaking” and that “the overall presentation raised the bar for UDP presentations.” We find that strong communication and collaboration with consultants and local authorities, such as through team and stakeholder meetings, helps to produce successful outcomes.
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