2008-2011
Ahurareka Estate, Beachlands, Auckland, NZ
Ahuareka Trustees limited
Ahuareka has been designed as a sustainable mixed use village based on the best old-world traditions of town and country building, all within commuting distance of Auckland City. Common Ground developed the design for a compact settlement of over 200 houses within a footplate of just 20% of the 100ha site area (compared to just 20 lots allowed under the current rules.
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Backed by a robust land-capacity analysis, a comprehensive design approach and low-impact engineering, the project team successfully argued through both Council Hearings and the Environment Court that the village approach developed by Common Ground delivered not only on Council’s high-level policies and objectives, but was more sustainable and desirable than what the rules were enforcing.
This development has influenced a changing planning position of allowing appropriate development in peri-urban environments by demonstrating qualitative and quantitative environmental and economic benefit to the community.
- Concept and Visioning
- Urban Design
- Landscape Assessment
- Land use Planning & Strategy
- Masterplanning
- Architectural concepts (including Typologies development)
- Landscape Architecture
- Consultation
- Hearings and Environment Court
Value of Project:
NZ$200 Million (2012)
Value of Consultancy Services:
NZ$450,000 (2012)
Added Value:
- Successfully achieving a development approach not allowed in rules
- Increase in yield from 20 to over 200 houses
- Revitalisation of the land as an economically viable farm
- A more sustainable and resilient approach to infrastructure provision and waste minimisation
- Design response that delivered increased market value
- Creation of a sustainable mixed use village underpinned by comprehensive Urban Design Framework
- Development on just 20% of the 100ha site
- 200 unique houses based on just 12 house types
- Incorporation of commercial activities and retention of working farm
- Facilitation of coastal walkway network
- Successfully defended through Council Hearing and the Environment Court
Current Status:
Resource Consent granted (2015)
