Life in the fast lane
Each building in Chews Lane has its own identity, yet is integral to the overall design
To create a strong and vibrant urban precinct, it is essential to have a cohesive master plan. Wellington-based Athfield Architects was contracted to provide such a plan for Chews Lane. The company was also the lead design consultant for each building and streetscape, providing full design and documentation services, as well as construction supervision.
Project architect Katherine Dean says one of the main objectives was to draw from the character of the existing precinct to provide a diverse range of spaces and activities.
"Context, scale, visual complexity and form were key considerations for both the restoration of the existing buildings and the new structures."
To ensure the overall viability of the connected elements within the precinct, the urban design criteria needed to be balanced against commercial imperatives, which shifted over time.
"Each building also needed to have its own identity, while still being appropriately scaled and detailed to create a comfortable dialogue within the existing Chews Lane precinct and the streetscape beyond."
Key architectural features include the inverted, stacked pyramid of glass boxes that cantilevers from the facade of 50 Victoria Street. Visible the length of Victoria St, the building provides a visual cornerstone or marker for the development, drawing pedestrians into the lane. At night, when lit, it forms a lantern for traffic moving down Victoria Street.
Other visual interest is provided by the Terracade cladding to the office pods on 60 Victoria Street. Dean says this cladding references the original brick-clad Palace Hotel, which stood on the site.
Athfield Architects says the tight physical constraints of the site, combined with the different and overlapping building programmes, made the project logistically challenging from a design and construction viewpoint.
"The mix of retail, office, apartments and car parking, as well as the creation of a unique streetscape in downtown Wellington, created many co-ordination challenges. To manage and resolve challenges as they arose, we worked closely with the developer, council, contractor, a range of stakeholders and other members of the consultant team, including structural and services engineers."
For more information, contact Athfield Architects, PO Box 3364, Wellington 6140, phone (04) 499 1727. Website: www.athfieldarchitects.co.nz.
Story by: Trendsideas
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