Construction of ten affordable homes across two stages
Every step of the way
For this project, the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust engaged Rubix to support them in the creation of ten design-build homes in stunning Arrowtown. The first stage involved the construction of four 3-bedroom dwellings, designed by Dravitzki Brown Architects. The second stage saw the completion of an additional six dwellings, this time by a design-build contractor, with the design based on Dravitzki Brown’s Bulk & Location Concepts.
Rubix was involved at every step of this project, first reviewing the tenders that the client had sought, then creating a tender report and engaging a contractor for Stage 1. For Stage 2, we negotiated directly with the contractor to manage the design-build, and then went on to manage the entire project through consenting, procurement, construction and close out.
Sensitive handling
This project required a sensitive approach, with some community groups unsupportive of the Queenstown Lakes District Council vesting the land to the Trust. In addition, the site boasted large heritage trees which required appropriate protection.
Points of interest
- Timber floors on two of the houses and a flexible approach to the floor-framing design allowed us to limit the impact on protected trees.
- Dravitzki Brown’s well-considered designs provided a ‘heritage’ look which complements Arrowtown’s historical references while still providing affordable housing to meet rising demand.
- Design-build contracts have proved to be a very successful approach for affordable housing, and we have gone on to complete numerous contracts in the same manner after the success of this prototype project.