Comments for Auckland Architecture Association http://aaa.org.nz AAA Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:39:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Auckland’s Port Extension – Speak Up by Alastair McKenzie http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/aucklands-port-extension-speak-up/#comment-197 Alastair McKenzie Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:39:18 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2866#comment-197 What has been alarming is the poor presentation and communication of the ports plan to the public in the draft waterfront plan, shown was 2 images and barely any text and readers are expected to go and find the actual plan elsewhere. POAL will have to go through the resource consent process for the extension, however if the current plan in the draft makes it to the final they have weight to their arguments. There have been many calls to move the port, but I don’t think that is a realistic option, we have to work with what we have. What we need, as you mention is a collaborative design and informative public process that explores other options and addresses a wider range of considerations. What has been alarming is the poor presentation and communication of the ports plan to the public in the draft waterfront plan, shown was 2 images and barely any text and readers are expected to go and find the actual plan elsewhere. POAL will have to go through the resource consent process for the extension, however if the current plan in the draft makes it to the final they have weight to their arguments.
There have been many calls to move the port, but I don’t think that is a realistic option, we have to work with what we have. What we need, as you mention is a collaborative design and informative public process that explores other options and addresses a wider range of considerations.

]]> Comment on Auckland’s Port Extension – Speak Up by Phil http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/aucklands-port-extension-speak-up/#comment-196 Phil Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:29:10 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2866#comment-196 Unfortunately , as we all know this is an inherited legacy for Auckland. Where should they extend? Are the ports the future economic powerhouse of Auckland? Is this NIMBYism? Why is only one alternative (massive expansion) being presented? Considering that most people drive past them anyway, what real difference will it make? How important is access to that part of the waterfront to Auckland? If the Western end of the port-frontage is opened up and the container terminals compressed, how much more efficiently can the existing facilities be utilised? The desires of Auckland for a waterfront and the reality of having one is a real concern, as more people move to the area, more pressure is being exerted upon existing coastline and yet the majority of Auckland doesn't see it, se it or recognise it. What I am really expressing here is the need for collaborative design and informative public process, not just another competition to choose a mediocre plan that is selected by mediocrity or we will become a "mediorecity". Its a shame we didn't originally have the ports situated where the tank farm/marina is now, then we would be discussing a much easier desire, to have access to a marina. There is also a great opportunity to really develop a fantastic lineal park system along the waterfront towards the eastern beaches integrated with a commuter tram system and the three lane-ing of Tamaki drive, to have dynamic traffic flow management. The important thing is not to let this happen ad-hoc and ensure that public comment is heard! Unfortunately , as we all know this is an inherited legacy for Auckland.
Where should they extend?
Are the ports the future economic powerhouse of Auckland?
Is this NIMBYism?
Why is only one alternative (massive expansion) being presented?
Considering that most people drive past them anyway, what real difference will it make?
How important is access to that part of the waterfront to Auckland?
If the Western end of the port-frontage is opened up and the container terminals compressed, how much more efficiently can the existing facilities be utilised?
The desires of Auckland for a waterfront and the reality of having one is a real concern, as more people move to the area, more pressure is being exerted upon existing coastline and yet the majority of Auckland doesn’t see it, se it or recognise it. What I am really expressing here is the need for collaborative design and informative public process, not just another competition to choose a mediocre plan that is selected by mediocrity or we will become a “mediorecity”. Its a shame we didn’t originally have the ports situated where the tank farm/marina is now, then we would be discussing a much easier desire, to have access to a marina. There is also a great opportunity to really develop a fantastic lineal park system along the waterfront towards the eastern beaches integrated with a commuter tram system and the three lane-ing of Tamaki drive, to have dynamic traffic flow management.
The important thing is not to let this happen ad-hoc and ensure that public comment is heard!

]]> Comment on Ironbank by wd http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-195 wd Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:16:51 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-195 not sure which is praise (shag or bag) but love the building in particular the courtyard. As yet the only other part we have enjoyed is the cafe on the corner on k road so cant comment on interiors. not sure which is praise (shag or bag) but love the building in particular the courtyard. As yet the only other part we have enjoyed is the cafe on the corner on k road so cant comment on interiors.

]]> Comment on Ironbank by Bain Duigan http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-194 Bain Duigan Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:49:21 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-194 It's sophisticated and the construction was fascinating to watch, but the smallish floorplate of each cube and no air-con just wont rent commercially very easily. However they would make cool apartments, many with balconies. I SAY CONVERT! (half the people in Auckland think they are apartments anyway... (also only 1 x loo per unit opening into the middle of the space is a bit basic/yuk for an office, further detracting from their commercial appeal) It’s sophisticated and the construction was fascinating to watch, but the smallish floorplate of each cube and no air-con just wont rent commercially very easily. However they would make cool apartments, many with balconies. I SAY CONVERT! (half the people in Auckland think they are apartments anyway…
(also only 1 x loo per unit opening into the middle of the space is a bit basic/yuk for an office, further detracting from their commercial appeal)

]]> Comment on Ironbank by A http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-193 A Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:45:51 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-193 Great building.....in short...like others..in detail there are questions to be asked...The K rd elevation leaves me bored...the drafty connection to cross st is not successful and I agree with others re the Green assertions.....all in all time will tell. Great building…..in short…like others..in detail there are questions to be asked…The K rd elevation leaves me bored…the drafty connection to cross st is not successful and I agree with others re the Green assertions…..all in all time will tell.

]]> Comment on Ironbank by ST http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-192 ST Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:02:42 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-192 It is not a 'sustainable' building by any means. Corten steel has only a lifespan of 50 years, which is expected for most building materials but is a reality judging by historic overseas uses. It is also works as a double facade system, meaning the rain barrier under the Corten could exist as a facade on its own with no need for all the extra material. All that Corten must be worth a lot of embodied energy and cost, all just for decoration. It received its awards for green design- not fit out- and some of my friends who now rent space in the building have expressed an urgent need for air conditioning. And to not include living spaces in mixed use projects means the whole thing sits empty and locked up over night is a waste of space in a dense area. It could have been more of a success in terms of being able to lease, like Site 3, if residential was a component. It is a very nice looking building, but is also green washing at its very best. It is not a ‘sustainable’ building by any means. Corten steel has only a lifespan of 50 years, which is expected for most building materials but is a reality judging by historic overseas uses. It is also works as a double facade system, meaning the rain barrier under the Corten could exist as a facade on its own with no need for all the extra material. All that Corten must be worth a lot of embodied energy and cost, all just for decoration.

It received its awards for green design- not fit out- and some of my friends who now rent space in the building have expressed an urgent need for air conditioning. And to not include living spaces in mixed use projects means the whole thing sits empty and locked up over night is a waste of space in a dense area. It could have been more of a success in terms of being able to lease, like Site 3, if residential was a component. It is a very nice looking building, but is also green washing at its very best.

]]> Comment on The Cloud by Geoff Houtman http://aaa.org.nz/2011/11/the-cloud/#comment-191 Geoff Houtman Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:12:41 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2606#comment-191 A present to the people of Christchurch. Pack it and send it asap... A present to the people of Christchurch.

Pack it and send it asap…

]]> Comment on Ironbank by Fleur McCabe http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-190 Fleur McCabe Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:31:23 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-190 I love the cladding, there is a visual softness to it, like suede, that is needed to counter the hard edged angularness. The tumbling blocks format is jarring to me, but I can still see it's architectural beauty. I wouldn't worry about 'run-off', iron comes from the earth anyway, what could be more harmonious than the cladding slowly dripping back to that from which it came. I love the cladding, there is a visual softness to it, like suede, that is needed to counter the hard edged angularness. The tumbling blocks format is jarring to me, but I can still see it’s architectural beauty. I wouldn’t worry about ‘run-off’, iron comes from the earth anyway, what could be more harmonious than the cladding slowly dripping back to that from which it came.

]]> Comment on Ironbank by Mark http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-189 Mark Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:22:09 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-189 Clad in rust. Say whaaaat ? Clad in rust. Say whaaaat ?

]]> Comment on Ironbank by NS http://aaa.org.nz/2012/02/ironbank/#comment-188 NS Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:21:07 +0000 http://aaa.org.nz/?p=2974#comment-188 Shagged. All in all a superb building. But … critique. Ironbank is the building all AKL architects, planners and designers desperately want to be great. NZIA commercial award, NZIA sustainable award, NZIA urban design award. The building is over the top and it is greatly over hyped. Commercial - Completed in 2009 and yet to be fully tenanted. Sustainable - Doesn't require AC… wow revolutionary… ? A car stacker… fancy… ? Urban Design - Lane/physical connection through to cross street - whatever. Entries to the throughway feels private, few enter. Next to zero activity in the sunless drafty courtyard. Minimal successful 'reinvigoration' of cross street as touted. The 'scale & grain' chunky patterned facade lacks longevity - a fashionable facade which will appear regrettable in a few yrs. A great piece of architecture - just don't let the corten overwhelm you. Shagged. All in all a superb building. But … critique.

Ironbank is the building all AKL architects, planners and designers desperately want to be great. NZIA commercial award, NZIA sustainable award, NZIA urban design award. The building is over the top and it is greatly over hyped.

Commercial – Completed in 2009 and yet to be fully tenanted.

Sustainable – Doesn’t require AC… wow revolutionary… ? A car stacker… fancy… ?

Urban Design – Lane/physical connection through to cross street – whatever. Entries to the throughway feels private, few enter. Next to zero activity in the sunless drafty courtyard. Minimal successful ‘reinvigoration’ of cross street as touted. The ‘scale & grain’ chunky patterned facade lacks longevity – a fashionable facade which will appear regrettable in a few yrs.

A great piece of architecture – just don’t let the corten overwhelm you.

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