Kerewhenua, Auckland

Brief
Design a neighbourhood for a variety of ages, stages, and incomes. Create an energised and animated community through excellent design and placemaking.

New thinking at Hobsonville Point
One half of Context’s masterplanned Kerepeti development, Kerewhenua, proves you can have 11 different house typologies as well as a cohesive sense of community. A lively village with the perks of owning a private home, the development has 208 homes in total – 33 more than our clients’ target density – a joint venture between Ngai Tahu Property, NZ Super Fund, and New Ground Capital.

We chose to work with brick because it’s durable, dependable, and low maintenance with excellent acoustic properties, all of which are important for density. At Kerepeti, brick also represents a strong connection to place. Māori worked clay in the area for many years and brickworks were a primary industry until the 1930s.

Throughout Kerewhenua we’ve used mixed materiality to provide an animated and lively appeal. Red brick veneers are common, as are variant brick and solid white. Glass, concrete, timber, and colourful doors inject energy and warmth into the neighbourhood.

All homes have been designed to maximise natural, direct sunlight in living areas. Couple this with solid insulation and energy-efficient heating systems and you have a home that’s comfortable and affordable to live in. Rainwater harvesting and strategic plantings are also incorporated on-site. Every unit has private outdoor space designed to catch the sun. In units where entry to the house is from the north, first-floor living spaces and a deck have (in most instances) been provided. Raised ground floors provide much-needed privacy close to the street.