Project Description

The design strategy prioritised reusing as much as feasibly possible of the existing structure of the laboratory building while adapting its interior to accommodate modern residential needs. Overall, the Hills Residences project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to adaptive re-use, merging architectural innovation with urban densification principles to create a vibrant residential community that aligns with the client’s vision for high-quality apartment living in a riverside setting.

The client’s ambitions were to deliver high-quality residential apartments, promoting densified urban living that had yet to be seen in the market.

Jury Citation:

Caro Robertson, Ari Stevens, Julie Stout and Patrick Kennedy:

“This project addresses several important issues facing contemporary architects. The most pressing is sustainability and the most efficient building is the one we don’t build, so this adaptive re-use of a redundant commercial building is a great urban model. Further elevating the project is the way domestic habitation is understood. A confident and sophisticated approach delivers quality dwellings, capable of accommodating a diversity of users in comfortable, livable settings. Hills Residences forms part of a wider project by Edwards White and its client in celebrating and amplifying Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s qualities through addressing the river, densifying the neighbourhoods and stitching together the city’s parts, on and off the site.”

Project team:

Georgia Peacocke, Luke Grbin, Will Weavers.

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The New Zealand Architecture Awards receive generous support from Resene, a steadfast sponsor of the program since 1991, and APL, which commenced its sponsorship of the awards in 2021.