SUSS

Box™ creates ‘Mews’ style development for a developer in Nelson The property, located on a corner section of the inner city, comprises six townhouses laid out in the style of an English mews. A mix of double-storey and single-level dwellings, all with individual courtyard gardens and double garages, are companionably grouped to create a sense of community. Dan Heyworth says: “We envisioned the concept of a mews where houses are terraced around a central lane. Each home is oriented for optimum sun on a compact footprint that encourages a sense of neighbourliness.” All dwellings in the high-end development were pre-sold. The post-and-beam structural system, developed by Box™, adapted well to the multi-unit project, named Sussex Mews. With plywood cladding, stainless-steel cross-bracing and some precast concrete panels to comply with inter-unit fire rating criteria, the complex makes a strong design statement in a locale historically populated by weatherboard houses. Gobi-block walls on the perimeters of the site have some transparency which allows connection with the street. The three and four-bedroom dwellings have an efficient open-plan layout, concrete floors and small internal courtyards which bring light into the heart of the homes. Developer James Purves says: “The success of Sussex Mews just goes to show that the residents of Nelson recognise good design and are willing to invest in it.” While the section could have accommodated a low-rise apartment building or a cookie-cutter collection of units, the mews option, with similar but not exact-replica homes, proved highly attractive on this inner-city section. Box™ offered a realistic value-for-money proposition – good-looking architecturally designed houses as well as a guaranteed construction cost and completion date. NZIA AWARD WINNER – MULTI UNIT