New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 68

Project Scanlan Lofts Location: Auckland Architect: Leuschke Kahn Architects Developer: Phi Group MAX HEADROOM Presented with a tight, height-restricted infill site, Leuschke Kahn Architects came up with a creative solution for their developer client and the future homeowners As more demands are put on the land in our city fringe suburbs, sections once taken up with single dwellings are being re-developed for multiple residences and apartments. These developments often call for imaginative designs that both meet the needs for greater housing density and respect the existing neighbours at the same time. At first sight, this narrow 506m 2 Auckland site, zoned for mixed use, seemed like an opportunity to develop a medium-rise residential tower. But there were height restrictions attached due to the close proximity of the neighbours, says architect Paul Leuschke, of Leuschke Kahn Architects. “A tall apartment building wasn’t an option. However, because of its position high on the ridge, there was the possibility of getting great views out over the suburb and harbour beyond if the new design could see over the apartment building imme- diately downhill to the site,” says Leuschke. After considering several options for his clients, Phi Group, Leuschke eventually settled on a row of contemporary, high-end terraced townhouses. “At that time, Auckland hadn’t really embraced the idea of terraced housing – we simply didn’t have the planning rules for them,” he says. “It was either a stand-alone house or apartments. There was nothing in between, which is a shame, especially in these fringe suburbs where terraced housing would sit more sympathetically alongside the traditional housing stock. “Given the circumstances of the site, I felt it was more important to provide daylight and views to the living spaces by inverting the traditional model and having the bedrooms on the lower floor.”