Newtown Park, Wellington City Council Housing Upgrade
Originally constructed from 1967 on the site of an old tram depot, the Wellington City Council rental housing at Newtown Park consists of three large towers and three lower buildings. All require extensive upgrade and refurbishment to bring them up to current Building Code requirements and to improve safety and security for residents.
At the same time, other design features of the buildings and the surrounding landscaped grounds will be addressed; in particular, the project will focus on giving each tower building more of a distinct identity and a clearly recognisable entry. In response to the changing demographics of tenants, the number of family-sized units will be increased, particularly on the ground floors where units have direct access to outdoor areas. A careful and thorough analysis of the existing built fabric has produced a design that is cost effective and will create unit typologies much better suited to tenants.
Externally, public, semi-private and private space will be more clearly delineated and outdoor areas will be strategically linked to the surrounding sub-urban context. Landscaping work will also be influenced by design principles such as crime prevention through environmental design, improving safety and security for residents. With a view to reducing the extent of the site given over to vehicle circulation and promoting a sense of community, a new courtyard space will replace a section of roading. This ‘home zone’ will provide a recreational area for bikes, scooters and ball games and will extend and complement existing central outdoor community space, as well as making a significant contribution to the family-friendly quality of the flats.
Client: Wellington City Council
