A new apartment building in inner-city Wellington is delivering sustainable accommodation to the next generation Victoria University students.
The 6 Homestar rated property pitches a new green genre of high-rise rental housing.
Essentials
What: self-catered student accommodation for Victoria University students
Details: 3864 square metre building; comprises 78 apartments; 41 one-bedroom units; 36 two-bedroom units; one three-bedroom unit; basement level with storage lockers, building services, bicycle parking
Location: once known as Chinatown or the Celestial Quarter; close proximity to the VUW campus and Cuba Street precinct
Name: Whānau (family) Mārama (light); a term used to describe celestial beings (stars, planets sun, moon etc); reflects the apartment as a place where a student family comes together to learn
Occupancy: 116 students
Address: 24 Haining Street, Te Aro, Pōneke Wellington
Project Snapshot
Owner: Nightingale Group
Background: developed under the Wellington City Council’s Te Kāinga programme (a partnership between the council and private building owners to provide quality affordable rental apartments); subleased to Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington; WCC property management; VUW tenancy management
Architect: Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (DGSE)
Homestar professional: Montaine Gru, BDG Architects
Main contractor: CMP Construction
Project timeline: brownfield site purchased 2020; construction completed 2023; occupancy February 2024
Project certification: 6 Homestar rating (Built v4.1); February 2024
A 6 Homestar rated resilient, green building where occupants interact with a central cityscape headed the agenda at 24 Haining Street.
“We strive to take a more sustainable, efficient approach in all we do. Targeting a 6 Homestar rating for the project provided a clear set of requirements to deliver a more sustainable product. The result is an incredibly efficient building,” says Simon Nightingale of Nightingale Group.
That efficient, modern, architectural building with clean lines, functional forms, a sculptural awning entry and recessed balconies is now providing high standards of comfort and liveability to Victoria University students.
And liveable it is.
Equipped with a high-performance building envelope, a ‘warm roof’ membrane, 40 roof top solar panels, a common electric hot water system and passive house grade mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (78 MVHR units) in all apartments – Whānau Mārama is a nine-storey energy smart star.
Individual apartment metering for electricity and water allows students to manage their own consumption – and along the way encourages sustainable behaviour.
All kitchen apartments have integrated built-in dual-bin systems to simplify waste separation and encourage recycling.
VUW is committed to providing safe, secure and Healthy Homes Standard student accommodation and creating a mana-enhancing community.
“It’s really great to see the building, which our residents call home, has received a 6 Homestar rating,” says VUW facilities manager – university accommodation, Julia Trotter.
Nightingale Group says the project was propelled by the Wellington City Council’s push to expand its Te Kāinga footprint, its knowledge of Homestar and a Westpac Sustainable Business Loan.
“We’ve had a long relationship with Westpac and were really pleased it recognised the social and economic value of our project,” says Simon.
Westpac senior property finance manager, Shaun Walsh, says the property’s 6 Homestar result reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, quality and resilience.
“It's great to see such high standards being met in the rental housing space. This approach benefits the environment and enhances the living experience for residents with warmer, drier and more energy efficient accommodation.”
Shaun says Westpac is observing strong interest and uptake from property investors in sustainable buildings:
- investors now understand sustainability is a strategic and commercial value proposition for buildings – with energy efficiency, climate resilience and tenant attraction upsides
- sustainable buildings often lead to better returns and lower operating costs, making them an attractive investment choice
DGSE design lead, Chris Gilby, and project architect, Ryan Burge, say inspiration for the building centred on an analysis of people, place and culture.
The 2D pattern on the building’s façade provides “a subtle nod to the fragmented textures and tones of Wellington city.”
DGSE’s objectives spotlighted sustainable outcomes and balancing cost-effectiveness with design integrity.
Key strategies included:
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structural efficiency: a grid layout optimising beam and span sizes; reducing
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material use and embodied carbon.
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unitised façade system: off-site manufacturing ensured precision, reduced construction waste, streamlined installation, minimised carbon emissions from prolonged construction
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maximising natural light: glazing proportions (Low-E Argon-filled glazing) and building dimensions allowed deep interior natural light penetration; reduced artificial lighting without compromising thermal performance
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low VOC and certified materials; healthier indoor environment; materials can be fully recycled at end of life; reduces the building’s footprint
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durable and low maintenance materials; maintaining visual and functional integrity over time; underscores the project’s Homestar principles; demonstrates sustainable design can be responsible and beautiful
DGSE says specific challenges of the project included;
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walls with limited space for insulation – required careful design and detailing to resolve
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maintaining a key focus on best practice construction waste management
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ensuring contractor compliance with sustainability goals demanded ongoing mahi
For CMP Construction its key challenges were location focused – with an inner-city single lane one-way thoroughfare and a building encompassing all boundaries.
CMP Wellington area manager, Flinn Clark, says significant use of prefabricated units – from the façade to windows, doors, cladding panels, kitchens, some balconies and steelwork – fast tracked construction, increased on-site safety and positively impacted costs and site deliveries.
Aspirational aspects of the project?
For Homestar assessor, Montaine Gru, one of the most impressive features has been the delivery of higher performance architecture in the rental space – where investors money is spent on a sustainable building with long-term positive outcomes.
“Not only does this building provide higher quality accommodation but it fosters the health and well-being of its occupants. It completely moves away from the premise that rental housing is in some way poorer quality housing. DGSE really listened and were very supportive of design changes that facilitated a better Homestar outcome.
Photo credit: CMP Construction