The Glade forms part of the award-winning Richmond masterplanned community, located in Mount Wellington, Auckland. Developed in response to Auckland’s growing demand for high-quality, affordable housing, the project delivers a large number of freehold terrace homes designed for owner-occupiers and first-home buyers, many of which were marketed under the KiwiBuild and Affordable Housing initiatives.

As my first major residential development project after joining OZAC Architects, I was involved from the initial master planning feasibility through to resource consent approval, and later contributed to detailed documentation review and construction coordination.

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The project comprises a diverse mix of 2–4 bedroom typologies, with each unit optimised for compact living, durability, and long-term energy performance. The design intentionally avoids a cluttered material palette, favouring a consistent combination of white brick veneer, natural timber accents, and dark fibre cement panels to deliver a cohesive and calm streetscape. Roofline variation and building articulation were used to break down the overall scale and promote neighbourhood identity.

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Affordability was a key driver in both the design strategy and construction methodology. Repetition of modular unit layouts, careful selection of low-maintenance materials, and passive design principles were employed to reduce construction costs without compromising quality. The development also integrated shared public spaces, pocket parks, and internal green lanes to promote community wellbeing and walkability.

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Awards
• New Zealand Commercial Project Awards 2024 — Silver Award
• Master Painters New Zealand — Large Residential Gold Category Winner