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#COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

Woods bagot's proposal for auckland tower draws from local flora and fauna

Woods bagot and peddle thorp NZ have proposed a ‘city-defining’ high-rise hotel and apartment tower for auckland’s growing CBD.

Woods bagot and peddle thorp NZ have proposed a ‘city-defining’ high-rise hotel and apartment tower for auckland’s growing CBD. the entry is one of five invited proposals in an architectural competition organized by the site’s owners ICD property, a melbourne-based developer known for its passion for innovative and forward-thinking design. inspired by auckland’s natural beauty, the proposed design draws from the geology of the region as well as the local flora and fauna to create an enduring outcome that seamlessly compliments the unique character of the city.

put simply by woods bagot principal peter miglis, the building couldn’t exist anywhere else. ‘echoing new zealand’s inimitable geology, federal street has been imagined as a natural formation. the building sits gracefully within the skyline’s silhouette and the internal experience has been carefully curated to suit the city’s needs. sightlines to culturally significant landmarks, the height of the streetscape, pedestrian connectivity to key destinations and auckland’s weather have all been carefully considered in order to create a structure that could only sit within this particular skyline,’ says miglis. ‘we see this building, on this site, as an important moment for auckland to create a defining piece of architecture’.

the competition will test design options based on what will achieve the best outcome from an urban design perspective at both city and street scales. from the city perspective, miglis believes that tower shape plays a significant and serious role in defining global city skylines. ‘auckland is a great city deserving of a building designed with simplicity and confidence that will speak to the exceptional character,’ he continues. ‘federal street will become part of the city’s DNA and contribute to the skyline being identifiable around the globe as auckland.’

at street level, woods bagot and peddle thorp NZ‘s proposal asserts the responsibility of architecture to consider the street it occupies. the design responds to the need for a ground plane that is ‘open, inclusive and generous in spirit’. woods bagot associate principal andrew walter explains that understanding the future vision for the city was a strong driver when designing federal street’s lower level. ‘federal street sits on the intersection of a ‘spine’ of buildings lying along the center of auckland’s CBD that links the city to the water, and a second connection to the parklands that flanks the city to the east and west. the new building encourages movement through and into the site as a more civic gesture – exploring the potential as a central part of what could become a green laneway that is pedestrian and bike-focused,’ says walter. ‘we see federal street as having the potential to become a public destination akin to a town square or public plaza. we know that the skyline defines a city’s identity, yet it is the streets – where people inhabit the city – that define its character.’

from the street all the way to the publicly accessible roof plaza – which features the hotel lobby as well as a rooftop cinema, bar, and lounge – the unique forms, colors, and textures of the region’s landscape, flora and fauna have informed the building’s materiality on various scales. featuring a café, wine store, and a marketplace showcasing local products, the ground level is open at any time of day. the mezzanine, accessible via a grand spiral staircase, boasts a martini bar, restaurant, and gallery. further up, the hotel and residential offering include a pool, spa and health bar. amenities for residents have been spread through the tower all the way up to the roof level in order to offer different experiences and views of auckland.

Woods bagot's proposal for auckland tower draws from local flora and fauna

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  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • woods bagot

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