Oruku Landing - Mixed Use Development
Concept design

The Mixed Use building at Oruku Landing is proposed at the western end of the site. The building is five storeys in height and contains twenty riverfront apartments, five retail units and a five-storey car parking building fronting Riverside Drive. The carpark will Include bike parking and EV charging bays. Retail units are configured throughout the ground floor with direct access from the promenade and plaza

The facade treatment (predominantly to the Hatea River) has been designed to represent the ornamental kete (or tight weave) which is symbolic of 'permanent residents', unlike the other buildings which are inhabited on a temporary basis. This facade treatment was developed through consultation with local iwi (Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism). Materiality of the mixed use building will be either decorative and embossed 200mm precast lightweight concrete panels or textured flat panels.

The car park building will also include a living facade/living wall with stainless steel wire geo grid system and Tecomanthe speciosa (Three Kings Island climber) or similar in planters at ground level along the road frontage to help break up the bulk and massing of the car park building. The facade of the car park will also be "articulated" with the use of mesh screens allowing for natural ventilation but controlling the sound and light pollution from vehicles using the building).

The decks and screens to the apartments are the main feature of the building providing texture/ relief to the facade (addressing the Hatea River). The screens vary in height depending on location. They have been angled off the building to screen the triangular decks to the apartments with the orientation allowing for filtered and unobstructed views towards the western hill and beyond). Behind this is a robust, repetitive structure with the main building facade finished with lots of glass. The screens will reduce reflection off the building, fitter sun-light, provide protection from wind and rain and also provide a level of privacy for the occupants.

Separating the carpark from the apartments and commercial space is a full height atrium providing an additional connection at plaza level to the new hotel from the western end of the site. This 'spine' to the building contains lifts, stairs and pathways which link the various pasts of the building to each other. A living wall and further ornamental kete designs are to be incorporated into the space.