As part of the planning evidence for Auckland City Council, AW designed a mix of residential, commercial and light industrial uses at Vinegar Lane, Ponsonby for narrow 6.0 m wide sections with a 16m height limit (four to five storeys).
Strategically placed circulation in light wells combined with commercial construction methods provide a compelling urban densification exemplar, given our Kiwi preoccupation with owning land. A variety of floor-to-floor heights gives users the flexibility of different functions on each level. The requirement for street-level small business space, for e.g. a garage or bike shop, retains the grain and street life of Ponsonby’s ‘blue collar’ heritage. These floor plans allow one tenant or more to occupy different levels of the building, giving one or two rental income streams. A high percentage of floor area is available as private outdoor space.