This large 5,500 square metre site was the last stage of a development adjacent to the new Ormiston Road Secondary School.

Woods Involvement 

Woods provided Planning, Architectural and Urban Design services for the project. 

The zoning encouraged an integrated multi-unit development, as it has three boundaries facing streets, with only one street providing vehicle access. This then allowed the design of a slow-speed lane through the development, with detached garages allowing for private courtyards between the house and garage.

The client also wanted to provide a ‘corner-store’ with an apartment above, as a live-work unit to provide street activation and an alternative to the terrace houses being provided. As Ormiston Rd has no vehicle access, all units have front doors facing the street with street surveillance from dining and kitchen areas.

A wide, but shallow, overland flow path affected the ability to provide private outdoor space to the units along the western boundary, so Woods re-engineered this area to less than half its original width, to provide more outdoor amenities and landscape screening to the adjacent petrol station and carwash. Landscaping and traffic engineering design was integrated through the design process, with early liaison with Council on the design, giving the client the confidence to proceed.

Woods performance

The final scheme includes 23 dwellings ranging from two to four bedrooms, and will provide something a little different to the local neighbourhood. After obtaining Resource Consent, Woods was engaged to provide detailed design for Building Consent and Tender. The project incorporates a flexible retail space, high quality landscaping, and many green features such as above-code insulation, sustainable hardwoods, and rainwater harvesting. Stage 1 construction of the first six stand-alone houses was completed in April 2021.