Laneway
Apartments

The design brief aimed to promote community inner city living, incorporating cultural narratives to strengthen the connection to its place, while emphasizing cost effectiveness and maintaining design integrity.

Targeted at first-time homebuyers, the project aims to foster a strong sense of Whakapapa (Identity and Connection to place).  This is achieved through the variety of generous residential amenity spaces for social gatherings and communal vegetable gardens provided. To allow for further sense of ownership, kitchen and bathroom options were presented in two formats, to allow purchasers a little customisation.

Utilising well known materials such as fibre cement panels, we were able to articulate them to provide interest whilst remaining cost sensitive. We also integrated a mirrored pattern to the façade which allowed us to repeat apartment types, while allowing for added diversity and rhythm to the façade. This resulted in a universal style of apartment designs which allowed for two alternative layouts, providing greater appeal to the development’s investors and buyers.

"The densest in the multi-unit house category, The Laneway Apartments successfully combine commercial ground floor and residential units above. The addition of a communal rooftop space adds a welcoming touch, fostering a sense of community among residents. Notably, the absence of visible heat pump units reflects a commitment to both aesthetic and sustainable design principles, making this development a standout in the category."
- Judges Comments, ADNZ 2024