When sustainable design sits at the heart of a public spaces project great things happen.
Avondale’s new 5 Star Green Star design rated community centrepiece demonstrates those decisive outcomes.
Essentials
Name: Te Hono
What: new community centre and library; integrated 2300 square metre-built form offering multiple spaces; two levels and mezzanine in Northern Building; single level in Southern Building; flexibly designed to accommodate diverse activities; adjoining 2400 square metre upgraded town square
Location: Centre of Avondale
Name: Te Hono means ‘connection’; acknowledging the foundational premise of the project - to connect place, people and purpose
Address: 1971-1987 Great North Road, Te Whau Avondale, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Project Snapshot
Building owner: Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council
Project manager: Auckland Council
Architect: Athfield Architects
Landscape architect: Isthmus
Project GSAP: eCubed Building Workshop Ltd
Services engineer: eCubed Building Workshop Ltd
Project status: need for updated amenities identified 2016; design phase November 2020; deconstruction of existing buildings on site November 2024; on site early works commenced June 2025; completion 2027
Project certification: 5 Star Green Star Design and As-Built NZ v1.0 certified rating
Auckland Council Principal Sustainable Outcomes Advisor, Duncan Monro
Rapid population growth and intensification is part of Avondale’s recent story –bringing with it the need to ramp up civic amenities.
The suburb had been well served by its library and community centre but over time these buildings had fallen behind.
“The existing facilities were disjointed across two buildings located on the edge of the town centre and were too small for a fast-growing community,” says Duncan Munro, principal sustainable outcomes advisor at Auckland Council’s Urban Development Office (AUDO).
In response Auckland Council pushed the go button on an ambitious plan to reformulate the heart of Avondale with a striking multi-purpose community hub anchored in a refurbished public square, as part of a wider urban regeneration programme.
Unity, wānanga, cultural identity, creativity, learning and environmental responsibility was the theme.
Deep engagement propelled by a council, iwi and community partnership was the pathway.
“Collaboration has shaped Te Hono from the ground up, enriching its design and creating space for iwi to share the cultural narratives of the area - ensuring it showcases the identity, values and hopes of its community.”
In tandem with Avondale’s aspirations – sustainability and resilience set in motion the design process.
Duncan says Green Star was crucial from the outset “substantiating how we’re walking the talk on our environmental aims.”
Athfield Architects’ project lead, Jon Rennie, says the design concept for Te Hono was developed in 2019 and 2020 “when the Australian bushfires were raging and Tāmaki Makaurau’s skies glowed red.”
“Our world was literally on fire and the need for sustainable responses even more undeniable. The project team sought where possible to exceed the Green Star targets – with consideration of the carbon, energy, social and economic sustainability of Te Hono from a whole of life perspective.”
Those carbon considerations included the ‘deconstruction’ rather than ‘demolition’ of five existing buildings to make way for Te Hono. The project team worked with NZGBC to create an innovation credit to reward the project for this positive approach of reusing rather than downcycling building materials. It is hoped future projects pursue this innovation.
The deconstruction process included the following:
Project GSAP and eCubed director, Eric Dronet, says while deconstruction is an invisible feature, it’s a stand-out.
“Deconstruction is a real success story. We hope others are inspired, especially contractors, who can see how meaningful their contribution can be.”
He says eCubed fed into the design brief for Te Hono as it was formed.
Modelling pathways were used for many credits, rather than prescriptive pathways, ensuring no oversizing of services or unnecessary costs.
From left to right: Duncan Munro, Louise Toohill (Senior Project Manager), Lisa Gooding (Senior Communications & Engagement Advisor) and Richard Davison (Priority Location Director)
Te Hono’s key design features and outcomes:
Isthmus project landscape architect, David Sullivan, says Green Star’s impact on the revised town square included:
“After years of planning and anticipation, Te Hono is now happening. But more than just progress - this is a visionary project that marks the beginning of the Avondale community coming together in a collective new civic heart, library and community centre,” says David.
Other green features include:
Photo Credit: Auckland Council