The Greenhouse is a once-in-a-lifetime project for Ockham Residential. Set to become a landmark on the Ponsonby skyline the building is named for the 150,000 iridescent, green-glazed bricks which adorn its walls – inspired by the landscapes of Tāmaki Makaurau.

We love bricks at Ockham and not only because they look great. It’s an essential design principle we follow: we want our buildings to weather well with minimal upkeep. Fired by S.Anselmo, an artisanal brickmaker from Venuto, Italy, The Greenhouse’s distinctive green glazed brick was personally chosen by Ockham co-founder Mark Todd after a four year long quest for perfection. Under morning sun the glaze is a gleaming emerald, like a summer walk to Karekare Falls, but as the day unfolds it shifts to a heavier, forest hue, then dark olive, then almost to black – the colour of a midwinter slog through Great Barrier bush. There are glimmers of Whatipū greys, fleeting moments of Waiheke navy and indigo.

Inside, apartments at The Greenhouse are optimised for light, privacy and easy urban living. They combine contemporary calm with the large windows and high ceilings of times past. A material palette has been selected with references to nature, seeking to bring it inside using subtle organic elements. Textured European oak engineered timber floors creates warmly modern, characterful living spaces while stone benchtops in the kitchen convey a grounded, easy-going atmosphere for dining and hosting. Bathroom tiling and fittings are classic and elegant, the colours and textures drawing inspiration from landscapes around Aotearoa.

The total effect is one of gentle sophistication: carefully selected raw materials crafted into enduring products: such as black slate, clay bricks, fine wood detailing, and metal hardware and joinery.

“It’s a privilege to bring this new community to Auckland’s most irresistible neighbourhood,” says Mark Todd. “Our ambition is to build one of Auckland's most beloved buildings.”

Expected completion Q3 2023.

Corner Williamson Avenue & Pollen Street, Ponsonby | Auckland, NZ