The project brief was for a high quality medium density development that contributes to the wider area transformation of Māngere. The expectation was that the development would also provide opportunities for a range of different housing needs by incorporating a mix of one, two and three bedroom units.

The 3,995sqm site adjacent to Māngere College presented a number of challenges. The brownfield development needed to work with existing infrastructure, knit together with the evolving streetscape, overlook adjacent public spaces, and define each street frontage with activated, modulated built form. The key opportunity was to intensify a well-connected area which has a strong sense of community and a lot of potential.

The project offers a functional, and efficient development that contributes 42 new units towards the housing needs of the community. This has been achieved by tackling challenges and making the most of opportunities through rigorous site planning. The site plan was formed around two 3-storey walk-up apartment buildings and a duplex at the rear of the site. An articulated JOAL, outdoor shared space, and landscaping then occupy the space between the buildings.

Architecturally, strong simple gabled forms have been used, to bring clarity, legibility and ’simplicity’ to the development. Within the strong formal architectural response, textural relief through brick patterning, the introduction of timber façade elements, and the placement of projecting balconies that modulate the façades, bring a finer grain and detail to the buildings, while not diminishing the clarity of the underlying built form. From design decisions around bulk and location, through to window placement and material selection, reference is made to the development’s immediate context to ensure the development contributes positively to the community, and built form is knitted into the fabric of the area.