It says a lot about a student accommodation building when twice as many students want to live there than there are rooms available. Such was the case when the Carlaw Park Student Village Stage 3 halls of residence in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland opened for business in 2023. Demand for the 907-bedroom apartment-style accommodation in Parnell was double what was on offer.
Village 3 project links the first two stages of a new accommodation campus for more than 1600 University of Auckland students. The aim: “A safe and relaxed environment, offering different levels of activities for students as a whole experience, with the reassurance of security.” It also aims to underscore the University of Auckland’s international reputation and help maintain its competitiveness in the global market.
A team of technical consultants was assembled in the planning stages to ensure all elements of the design were “best in class”. University operational teams (Campus Life and Property Services) were part of the process. Students’ input was also invited, especially when it came to new elements such as cinema rooms, gaming areas, retail, communal kitchens, music rooms, e-bike storage and study spaces.
“This is a world-class accommodation facility,” says Kim Barrett, Managing Director of Haydn & Rollett, which co-developed the village. “The development of the new accommodation infrastructure is an important step in helping to attract international students and retain domestic students as the global market for tertiary education goes through a reset following the pandemic.”
A strong sense of community was a driver of design and the 10-storey village-style accommodation encourages this. An enclosed courtyard, ideal for students to gather and play sports, is an example of the smart thinking involved. This space, with its lively white and vivid yellow wall panels, is protected from wind and traffic noise.
“The ground floor common areas including the central courtyard are outstanding spaces that provide high levels of amenity, comfort and security for the student community that calls the building home,” says Greg Reidy, Managing Director of co-developer Reidy & Co.
On the exterior, precast concrete cladding and contrasting surfaces such as faux weathered steel and white panels create a bold aesthetic. Recessed window bays add interest and accommodate lines of multi-room apartments. Exterior apartments enjoy views of the Auckland Domain, the port and the university cityscape.
The concrete and glass regulate temperature; other energy efficiency features include smart lighting, water-saving sanitary devices and apartment-specific instant water heaters.
In terms of security, access into the main entrance, apartments and even specific bedrooms is controlled by a card system integrated with the university’s Building Management System.
Last year, the university had 8500 applications for around 4500 beds. The addition of Village 3 brings it closer to its target of providing 7500, about 16 per cent of its current student population. It’s hoped this will improve access to tertiary education for domestic and overseas students.
A 30-year lease gives the university certainty, but if student demand wanes, floor plates have been designed to allow for development into unit-titled apartments.
That’s not looking likely any time soon.
“Carlaw Student Village is a direct response to the shortage of good-quality residential rental accommodation in close proximity to the University of Auckland, says Reidy. “The project provides affordable accommodation to the student community to enable a better living experience while focusing on their study.”
Village 3 is also the result of great collaboration, says Barrett. “We have a long-term relationship with the University of Auckland — more than 13 years. This is the third significant student accommodation facility that we have developed with them with a very long-term lease commitment. All parties are delighted with the outcomes.”
CARLAW PARK STUDENT VILLAGE STAGE 3
28-38 Stanley Street, Parnell, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
OWNER ERGON PROPERTIES NO.1
DEVELOPERS HAYDN & ROLLETT, REIDY & CO
CONSTRUCTION, PROJECT MANAGER HAYDN & ROLLETT
ARCHITECT ASHTON MITCHELL
SERVICE ENGINEER ELECTRICAL CONSULTING SERVICES
MECHANICAL ENGINEER THURSTON CONSULTING
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER MOTT MACDONALD
BUILDING ENCLOSURE ENGINEER INHABIT
QUANTITY SURVEYOR BARNES BEAGLEY DOHERR
OTHER CONSULTANTS PROTECH DESIGN, FIRE CONNECT
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