Insol | Alexandra Park Stage 2

FROM THE ARCHITECTS DRAWING

With the vision of creating a new urban neighbourhood just a few KM's from downtown Auckland, Alexandra Park Stage 2 is an ambitious large scale development including 128 generously sized apartments, accompanied by over 9000sqm of basement space split over two levels. This is joined by an electric range of food and retail offerings, creating a sustainable precinct of refined quality.

Adding a visual flourish and helping to create the unique feel is a façade screen with a custom dapple pattern featuring random rectangles. Backlit with a changing colour palette, the dappled light illuminates internal walkways and the outside of the building, gently bringing the precinct to life as night falls.

TO DESIGN REALITY

The façade screen is formed from 3mm aluminium sheet finished with a white powder coating. The custom dapple pattern is made up of random rectangle perforations. In the immediate residential area, the screen serves as a balcony surround, delivering privacy and acting as a balustrade. The dappled light brings a warming and relaxed presence to the balconies for open air living.

A central tower of the same random rectangle dapple pattern is used to cover air conditioning units. But rather than simply obscure and hide the required functionality, back lighting has been added to project outwards, washing the immediate area with a light show that slowly evolves through the night.

We used C folded edges to reduce sub-structure framing requirements, with the deceptively complex stepping off the façade and demanding both patience and precision in equal measure. The meticulous approach was certainly worth it, the end result creating that intangible 'something' that helps create the unique character of the development.

Alexandra park Stage 2 is a new neighbourhood centre that somehow creates a village-like feel in the centre of Auckland. The clever trick of making you feel part of the action, whilst removed from the urban rush, makes for an appealing destination to visit or live in.

FROM THE ARCHITECTS DRAWING

TO DESIGN REALITY

The façade screen is formed from 3mm aluminium sheet finished with a white powder coating. The custom dapple pattern is made u of random rectangle perforations. In the immediate residential area, the screen serves as a balcony surround, delivering privacy and acting as a balustrade. The dappled light brings a warming and relaxed presence to the balconies for open air living.