Strachan Group Architects

Studio 19 Community Housing

Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring

STUDIO 19 COMMUNITY HOUSING

Strachan Group Architects , Studio 19

ARCHITECTS
Strachan Group Architects, Studio 19

LOCATION
Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Social Housing

PROJECT YEAR
2013

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jackie Meiring

Text description provided by architect.

Studio 19 is a collaboration between Strachan Group Architects (SGA) and the Unitec School of Architecture. The client, VisionWest Community Trust, is a Waitakere based not for profit organisation that specialise in supported care within a growing housing portfolio.

Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring
Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring

The brief was to design, document and build a four bedroom home and two bedroom minor dwelling for use as long-term supported social housing in Henderson, Auckland. 

Beyond the typical scope of architectural education, the project team consists of sixteen third year architecture students under SGA guidance. The uniqueness of the 2012 project holds huge potential, as it is the first social housing undertaking from the Studio 19 team.

Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring
Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring

The future of social housing in New Zealand is being pushed towards the private sector with the Social Housing Reform Bill, VisionWest is a key example of how government funding of a community housing organisation can be successful when married with efficient and sustainable design. 

The design honours cultural, social, educational, and lifestyle needs of future tenants.

With sheltered outdoor living, dedicated built-in study spaces, passive solar design, transportable thermal mass and new material technologies, the homes provide a quality product 50% above code standard for insulation, and well above market standards for healthy homes.

Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring
Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring

The two homes (Four-bedroom: 109m2 and Two-bedroom minor dwelling: 57.6m2) step with the landscape as the contour descends to the valley below, painted in camouflage to rest modestly in the deep green hues of the Waitakere Ranges. 

The roofs fold protectively forming resilient and low maintenance Southwest walls whilst the rhythmic battening is a reference to the area’s history of Kauri logging.

A crafted timber interior provides warmth and comfort yet provides a robust and low maintenance internal lining, offset by custom CNC cut cabinetry in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms.

The prefabricated nature of the design allows for a streamlined construction process, resulting in a reduction in build costs, and also in wastage of materials.

Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring
Studio 19 Community Housing
© Jackie Meiring

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) for roof and walls arrive on site pre-made and ready to install with no offcuts. It is intended that the modular design can be easily adapted to future sites. 

This project has the potential to change the way New Zealand approaches social housing. Modular, prefabricated, and delivered at $1400 per square metre (plus GST and site costs), an effective solution that does not compromise on quality has been achieved.


Studio 19 Community Housing
North East Elevation, 2 Bedroom
Studio 19 Community Housing
North East Elevation, 4 Bedroom


Studio 19 Community Housing
Four Bedroom Unit
Studio 19 Community Housing
Two Bedroom Unit
Studio 19 Community Housing
Site Plan

Strachan Group Architects
T +64 9 6386302
Strachan Group Architects
26 Rossmay Terrace, Kingsland, Auckland 1024, New Zealand