Social housing projects win big at design and urban planning awards
21 June 2024
Multiple Kāinga Ora developments across the motu have been recognised for their immaculate design, masterful urban planning, and thoughtful build innovation.
New Zealand Institute of Architects Local Awards Winners
Oxford Terrace Wellington
In the Wellington awards a Kāinga Ora development in Lower Hutt’s Oxford Terrace, designed by Solari Architects, was the sole winner in the Housing—Multi Unit category(external link). The jury praised the project for its "highly empathetic design response" and called it "a heart-warming example of a community housing project."
In the Auckland region, the Puriri Park Road development in Whangārei, designed by Architectus, won in the Planning & Urban Design category(external link). The judges praised the recreational open space, mature street trees, and access to the nearby puriri forest, which create a unique backdrop. Te Mātāwai in Auckland’s CBD also won in this same category(external link) (read more about this development further below).
In the Canterbury region, Riccarton Road in Christchurch, designed once again by Architectus, won in the Housing – Multi Unit category(external link) for the Canterbury region.
This three-storey complex, our first 8 Homestar rated building in the South Island, features 20 one-bedroom apartments which share rooftop solar energy, saving tenants about $400 annually. Judges called it an "exemplar for medium-density social housing."
Riccarton Road Christchurch
2024 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards Winners (Te Mātāwai and Bader Ventura Passive House)
At the 2024 Master Builders Association's New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, our Te Mātāwai and Bader Ventura complexes both received awards.
Te Mātāwai Auckland
In June 2023, our build partner, Icon, completed the construction of Te Mātāwai in Auckland’s CBD, our largest social housing development to date with 276 apartments, and 200 for social housing. This development was recognised in two categories – the Innovation Award(external link) and the Winstone Wallboards Residential Project Award(external link).
Judges praised its innovation in design, procurement, and construction, noting its commitment to supplier diversity. Kāinga Ora credits Icon, MODE Design, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for their key roles in the project.
Bader Ventura, Kāinga Ora’s first Passive House and the first 8 Homestar v4.1 certified build in Aotearoa, won the Winstone Wallboards Residential Project Award(external link). It is Australasia’s first central government-funded passive house, marking a significant step towards low-carbon public housing.
Designed by Peddlethorp, it’s the highest performing Kāinga Ora development, with heating and cooling costs of $1 per day.
“It’s taken a huge collaborative effort, vision and perseverance to bring Bader Ventura to life and we wouldn’t be here without our amazing project partners,” acknowledges Patrick Dougherty, GM for Construction & Innovation.
Key partners included Precision Construction, Peddlethorp, Oculus Architectural Engineering, Kirk Roberts, 2PiR Consulting, and Sustainable Engineering.
Bader Ventura complex
2024 New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Awards (Northcote Regeneration Master Plan, Auckland)
A Kāinga Ora-led master-planned neighbourhood in Auckland’s Northcote won in the Master Planning and Urban Design Strategy category(external link) at the recent 2024 NZILA Awards.
The Northcote Regeneration Master Plan exemplifies large-scale urban renewal, highlighting the importance of spatial organisation, connectivity, creating distinctive neighbourhoods, embracing cultural diversity, and integrating water and landscape into design.
Kainga Ora Director of Urban Design, Sue Evans says, "Not only is the greenway in Northcote beautifully scenic and an important stormwater management system to protect surrounding homes, but it is also a significant natural habitat for birds, insects and eels once more.”
Kāinga Ora thanks its partners over the past eight years, including the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum, Isthmus, Auckland Council Healthy Waters, Eke Panuku Development, LEAD Alliance, WSP, Kaipātiki Local Board, and Northcote Business Association.
Five Kāinga Ora developments were also recently recognised at the prestigious 2024 NZ Property Industry Awards - read more about the developments that were celebrated.
Northcote Auckland