Henderson Social Housing

In collaboration between SGA and Unitec School of Architecture, Studio 19 designed, documented, and built a four-bedroom home and two-bedroom minor dwelling for use as long-term supported social housing in Henderson, Auckland for not-for-profit clients VisionWest Community Trust. The final outcome honours cultural, social , educational and lifestyle needs of future tenants. With sheltered outdoor living, dedicated built in study spaces, passive solar design, transportable thermal mass and new materials the homes provide a quality product 50% above code standard for insulation, and well above market standards for healthy homes. Stepping with the contours, the two homes rest modestly within the deep green hues of the Waitakere Ranges. Rhythmic battening is a nod to the area’s history of Kauri logging, while a crafted timber interior provides warmth and comfort yet a robust and low maintenance internal lining. Prefabrication allowed for a streamlined construction process resulting in a reduction of build costs and wastage in material. Structurally insulated panels (SIPS) for roof and walls arrive on-site-pre made and ready to install, intended that the modular design can be easily adapted to future sites.