2020 Property and Construction Annual Honours — Design Team of the Year

Featured company: Context Architects

Reason for recognition: Bold innovation and a constant flow of ideas turn every project the team undertakes into outstanding, forward-looking design with lasting impact.

Contex t. architecture practice (Context. Architects) has a cohesive, multidisciplinary design team. Led by New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Fellow and honorary member Stephen. Voyle, the team has more than 60 members, including over ten talented Chinese designers, dedicated to creating exceptional spatial experiences for every client and their communities.

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From urban design and wayfinding to virtual reality, Context’s design team includes architectural specialists across a wide range of disciplines. Whatever clients need, its designers work together to turn their vision into reality, delivering high-performing results that exceed expectations.

Heritage restoration: a neglected fire station returns to its former glory

Few three-storey fire stations in Auckland have a history like this one. Built in the 20s of the last century, the historic Kingsland fire station was later converted into a hostel through unsympathetic alterations. Many original features were damaged, including the original signage and doors bearing the fire station emblem, which were painted over beyond recognition.

Transforming this neglected, poorly treated heritage building into five luxury apartments meant resolving structural, weathertightness, insulation and soundproofing issues, bringing it up to Building Code requirements, restoring its traditional character and adding value. Given its age and the extent of the damage, this was no easy task.

Yet Context’s design team achieved it. The client wanted to showcase the original brickwork, steel frames and beams while retaining as much of the fire station’s original appearance as possible. However, unreinforced masonry façades no longer complied with the current Building Code and posed significant earthquake and fire risks. Working closely with structural and geotechnical engineers, Context devised a way to transfer loads from the brickwork to a steel frame. Although this approach covered some brickwork to improve insulation, it allowed internal brickwork to remain exposed while preserving the exterior façade.

The resulting high-performance luxury apartments combine heritage character with comfortable living and attractive views from two new balconies. The once-outdated fire station has regained its former charm and acquired a fresh appeal.

Medium-density housing design: creating a vibrant community for everyone

As the saying goes, it is hard to please everyone. Creating a vibrant community for people of different ages, backgrounds and incomes through excellent design is a demanding test of a design team’s skills.

Kerewhenua is in Hobsonville. Point, where a variety of housing types coexist harmoniously. Context’s design team led half of the Kerepeti development there. Through coordinated planning and design, using materials including red brick veneer, varied brickwork, glass, concrete and timber, the team brought together 11 housing types to create a

cohesive, vibrant community that brings energy and warmth to the neighbourhood. Red brick veneer was chosen for its durability, low maintenance costs and excellent acoustic properties.

At Kerepeti, brick also symbolises a strong connection. Māori worked in the local clay industry for many years, and brickworks remained the area’s primary industry until the 1930s. Carrying cultural traditions forward is another principle the design team has consistently upheld.

Context’s design team brought fresh design thinking to Hobsonville Point, creating safe, comfortable and lively homes and a community for local residents. Today, Kerepeti has become a model for large-scale community development in Auckland and across New Zealand.