Comprehensively redeveloping an existing site to help Habitat for Humanity deliver more accessible housing.

Habitat for Humanity is an international not-for-profit organisation that builds, repairs and renovates houses to meet the needs of their occupants and runs social rental properties that make affordable housing accessible.

Habitat currently occupies Freeman Court, an independent living facility for the elderly in Te Awamutu. The 1.27ha site comprises the Freeman Court complex, made up of 44 bedroom units and services for residents, as well as freestanding buildings which contain 36 dwellings.

Location

Waikato

Project team

Dave Moule

Worked with

CKL
Contaminated Site Investigation
Edwards White Architects
Sian Keith Archaeology

Project date

2020 - 2022

Habitat’s vision is to create a modern, higher-density development that will provide for a larger number of people. The comprehensive masterplan proposal for the redevelopment of the Freeman Court site is to demolish the 12 existing buildings and construct eight new buildings in a 3-stage process.

The existing Freeman Court building will be retained, however, a new central open space and courtyard area will be constructed to better utilise the connection between Freeman Court and the surrounding dwellings. Extensive landscaping is also proposed; including planted areas, a communal garden, playground and pedestrian paths.

Boffa Miskell’s planning team advised Habitat for Humanity on planning requirements for the establishment and operation of the proposal; and worked alongside the project team, led by Edwards White Architects, in the preparation of the required resource consent application to Waipa District Council. The outcome of the process was a positive, non-notified resource consent decision.

Images by Edwards White Architects
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