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Architectus has been involved in the creation of the Wynyard Quarter Urban Design Framework for the past 15 years; a fundamental premise of that document is to build on the character of the Wynyard Quarter into the future.

The challenge with adding to the neighbourhood is to respect the character imbued into the precinct by the marine and fishing industry and the industrial quality that exists in many of the heritage buildings that are being retained. Wynyard Central must add to and complement this character.

The project is part of an integrated, cohesive master plan. The plan’s ambition is to bring the outside in, connect to spaces and uses within the wider waterfront precinct and to form neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods, in the themes of green, gritty and blue. The result will be a precinct with many layers, integrated yet flexible.

Housing has been designed for a variety of residents, with a particular emphasis on the development of family residences, through considered space planning as well as child friendly amenities and safe outdoor spaces. Sustainability principles permeate every aspect of the design and include integrated and green roof planting which has been developed in consultation with local Iwi. Public spaces are celebrated, and ground floor edges are activated and engaging with artworks by Maaka Potini of Ngati Tamaoho.

Wynyard Central is the first large-scale, multi-unit residential development in New Zealand to be awarded 7 and 8 Homestar certification ratings. It will pay a pivotal role in the wider Wynyard Quarter ‘Smart Precinct’.

Wynyard Central is home to a mosaic of lives and activity, interwoven and independent, in a thriving waterfront context.

Location:
Auckland

Completion:
2018

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Architectus is an architecture and urbanism practice designing places and spaces tuned to their communities, context and culture. Advocates for integrated design, we apply a rigorous and tailored approach to create environments that are inspiring and enduring.

For over 30 years, we have been realising innovative and bespoke projects around Aotearoa New Zealand, shaping precincts and campuses with people and sustainability at their heart. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, we have had many successful joint ventures with local and international partners, and we enjoy a strong relationship with our associated studios in Australia.

Our Purpose
We believe architecture begins with a social agenda. It must nurture and grow communities and individuals, and enhance its neighbourhood and city. Appropriate, efficient and elegant architecture for today becomes the urban fabric of the future – we design for this longevity, to create places that will serve generations to come.

Design Philosophy
While a good project must firstly solve practical needs and be viable, a truly great project must embody a community’s broader cultural context: its urban and architectural setting, its local geography and ecology, and the stories of its people. The more meaningful a place becomes through a true sense of belonging, the greater the value and longevity it has for its community.

We believe placemaking in Aotearoa is grounded in a bicultural creative process. We partner with mana whenua to embed their aspirations and cultural narratives across functional, ceremonial, spatial and artistic dimensions.

Underpinning these human stories is our responsibility to be judicious with natural resources. Environmentally sensitive architecture requires us to be energy-efficient and space-efficient, and to use low-carbon materials and ethically sourced products.

This is a holistic approach that embeds our practice in a continuum of artistic and technical progress, so the architecture we are responsible for will be relevant for decades to come.