A New Lease on Life

Wellington City Council’s entire housing portfolio is getting a makeover, and Stephenson&Turner has been among the first to start making it happen.

In a massive undertaking, 40 Council housing complexes – many of them more than 30 years old – will be upgraded during the next 20 years. The aim is to bring them up to current seismic and building standards, while also offering tenants safer, warmer and more modern living environments.

S&T has been involved in stage 1 of a programme which will upgrade 12 housing complexes over the next 10 years. Among the largest of the Council’s properties, these are also in the poorest condition and most in need of earthquake strengthening.

S&T’s participation began when we helped Novak+Middleton Architects to assess the condition of each complex – mainly through reviewing the building services and commenting on the potential for sustainable development. Later, we partnered with Novak+Middleton in successfully tendering for first upgrade on the list: Te Ara Hou in Newtown.

Consisting of six similarly styled blocks, Te Ara Hou was built in the late 1970s and houses more than 180 people in 67 units. To minimise disruption to the tenants, the project was split into three stages, with tenants relocating as appropriate to the work schedule.

- Posted Dec. 15, 2010

The year-long project, undertaken after consultation with the tenants and the Council, had a number of elements: improving the ventilation and insulation to make the flats warmer and drier while reducing energy and maintenance costs; refurbishing the kitchens and bathrooms; fitting new curtains and carpets; providing better rubbish and recycling systems; and landscaping the outdoor areas.

Today, the Te Ara Hou housing complex stands proudly refurbished. Setting a standard for the future work, it’s providing a vastly improved living environment that the tenants will enjoy for many years to come.

The project received a 2010 Local Award for Sustainable Architecture from the New Zealand Institute of Architects.

- Posted Dec. 15, 2011