Trinity Apartments

The Trinity Apartments in Auckland occupy an important corner site opposite the Holy Trinity Cathedral and adjacent to the busy retail heart of Parnell. They are a model of sustainable, medium-density residential development. The 32 apartments are arranged over six levels in an L-shaped form that provides a continuous street edge whilst protecting an extensive landscaped courtyard and garden. A lap pool and reflection pond provides evaporative cooling that moderates the temperatures around the building. The high thermal mass of the building itself, (insitu and pre-cast concrete elements, concrete block work and exposed aggregate panels), also contributes to minimising temperature fluctuations within apartments and to delaying and reducing solar heat gain. Every apartment includes a private outdoor living area and is designed to maximise natural ventilation and day lighting. The deep verandahs offer a buffer between the interiors and the street edge; connecting them with the surrounding environment while providing protection from the elements. A variety of louvres and sunshades; timber shutters to internal courtyards and external sun filter blinds to balcony edges, can be operated by the residents to adjust the amount of sunlight and privacy as desired. Location: Auckland Completion: 2005