Half of this 2.3-hectare space is dedicated to a lush vegetated landscape, embodying a commitment to sustainability, and the well-being of the community and the environment.

Unique in one of Auckland's most industrial precincts, this innovative landscape design places a strong emphasis on maximising native vegetation, drawing inspiration from the site's original forest cover.

The site is a present-day industrial island; with low amenity neighbours adjoining the north and south boundaries. However, it has connectivity for avian (bird) species to a wider context of green open space and clusters of vegetation including Hamlins Hill | Mutukaroa Regional Park to the south and Mt Smart | Rarotonga to the west.

This offers the opportunity to respond positively to the historical pattern of forest ecology and to use built form and the natural topography to establish an inner oasis that guards against the more inhospitable qualities of the industrial surrounds. 

Location

Auckland

Worked with

RTA Studios
Alt Group
Barkers
Blackbridge Nurseries
Naylor Love
Streetscape

Project date

2022 - ongoing

Boffa Miskell's landscape concept develops on the architectural response to the site — the innovative mass timber Home Building — and creates a large courtyard space known as the Oasis. This inner, habitable centrepiece is contained by the main building with a naturalised waterbody and native wetland, scoria rock and selected forest specimen trees, drawing people into the Oasis for work and social activities. Trees in the Oasis will assist with shading of the inner glass façade and break direct views across the inner courtyard. 

The façade of the long multi-storey carpark building will be cloaked with a green façade comprising the tough binding / climbing native plant Muehlenbeckia to protect the back boundary of the site from the Motorway. This building will also perform an acoustic function, assisting in reducing motorway noise in the core of the site. 

An infrequently used truck dock doubles as an informal half-court activity space connected to an aerobic stair on the six storey carpark to enable employees to informally breakout for exercise and social / group / team activities.

Commuter cyclists and pedestrians using public transport including the Penrose Rail Station, which is within a walkable distance to the north of the site on Great South Road, are welcomed with dedicated entry points and adjacent end-of-trip facilities.

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