Kainga Haumaru housing - Ashton Mitchell Architects

CLIENT

Ember Korowai Takatini

LOCATION

Pukekohe

COMPLETED

In Progress

Significant community co-design and engagement results in a sustainable supportive housing development with plenty of heart.

Kāinga Haumaru is a new Community Housing Provider which supports people in recovery by providing sustainable, secure long-term tenancies.

Ashton Mitchell assisted in leading a co-design process with significant community, iwi, and stakeholder input, right from the outset of the project. This process has driven all design decisions, essential in formatting a brief, assisting with site selection, and heavily informing the final design.

The result is a new medium density multi-residential project offering secure homes for individuals grappling with addiction and mental distress. Nestled within an established Pukekohe neighbourhood and set amongst generous landscaped communal gardens.

The development features 14 apartments, a mix of one and two-bedroom units, with all ground-floor units designed to be wheelchair accessible, promoting inclusivity. The driving force behind the project’s design is the concept of ‘pokohiwi ki pokohiwi’, where residents stand shoulder to shoulder, supported by the Kāinga Haumaru and Ember teams.

The emphasis is on uplifting the residents by fostering a sense of security and respect, with a community focus. Concepts of Manaakitanga, Hau Ora, and Kaitiakitanga inform a design which respects the community and the environment. The Kāinga Haumaru project is an example of Ashton Mitchell’s commitment to supporting the community through our expertise in delivering social and community housing.