2019
Melling Street, Glenn Innes
Woods collaborated with Creating Communities Ltd to transform a 2,500-square-metre site in Glen Innes into a thoughtfully designed medium-density residential development.
The site, previously occupied by six 1950s-era state houses, was identified for redevelopment as part of the Tāmaki Regeneration project. Woods was engaged to provide comprehensive services, including architectural and urban design, civil engineering, surveying, and landscape design. The objective was to optimise the site's potential by increasing housing density while ensuring quality living environments.
The western portion of the site was developed with six standalone two-storey homes, each comprising three or four bedrooms. These homes are oriented along a shared vehicle and pedestrian accessway, fostering a sense of community. The eastern section features a mix of terraced housing: a block of four terraces and a duplex facing the street, and two additional blocks of four terraces at the rear, accessed via a driveway leading to basement garages. This configuration resulted in a total of 20 residential units.
The site's significant south-facing slope toward an adjacent primary school presented design and engineering challenges, particularly in managing elevation changes and ensuring accessibility. Balancing increased housing density with the provision of private and communal spaces required careful planning. Additionally, integrating the new development seamlessly into the existing neighborhood fabric was essential to maintain community cohesion.
Woods' integrated approach facilitated the successful delivery of a diverse housing typology that caters to varying family needs. The development's design promotes community interaction through shared spaces while providing private amenities for residents. Following the granting of resource consent, Woods proceeded with detailed design work to secure building consent for the six standalone homes. Collaborating with Universal Homes, the team efficiently navigated the consent process, achieving approval within a six-week timeframe.
The Melling Street project exemplifies effective medium-density residential development, contributing to the broader regeneration of Glen Innes by providing quality, affordable housing options within a well-considered urban design framework.
