Re:imagining the Gordon Wilson Flats

Re-imagining the Gordon Wilson Flats Gregory Wang

Studio 42 | Re:imagine

Gordon Wilson Flats Wellington, New Zealand

Sydney, Australia

North Island

Melbourne, Australia South Island

Wellington, New Zealand

0

200km

Wellington Botanic Gardens

Wellington, New Zealand Wellington Harbour

KELBURN

Civic Square

Gordon Wilson Flats

Wellington Central Business District

ARO VALLEY TE ARO

0

100m

BROOKLYN

Gordon Wilson Flats, Wellington, New Zealand

Source: Stuff.co.nz

Why the Gordon Wilson Flats?

Housing Crisis

Heritage

Education

New Zealand is experiencing a historical housing crisis

The Gordon Wilson Flats is protected due to its Historical Signif icance

The Gordon Wilson Flats was sold to Victoria University of Wellington

The Gordon Wilson Flats have been unoccupied since 2012 due to doubts about its structural integrity.

The Flats was design by F. Gordon Wilson, a prominent and influential architect in new Zealand between the 1930s to 1950s.

New Zealand is prone to earthquakes and buildings need to accommodate for these uncertain loads.

The Gordon Wilson flats housed around 130 people when it was operating as a social housing complex.

One of the last high rise social housing projects built by the state of New Zealand.

In February 2021, the building has been listed as a category 1 historic place. “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural signif icance or value”.

Victoria University of Wellington had plans to redevelop the site for a new campus.

They also had plans to create a pedestrian link between the University and the Central City.

What is a Category 1 Heritage Building?

Heritage New Zealand - “Category 1 historic places are of special or outstanding historical or cultural signif icance or value”...

“Entry on the List is a recognition tool and does not in itself prevent places being altered or sold.”

“What do I do if I want to modify a place on the List?

Contact Heritage New Zealand. Change to the use and function of places can be appropriate, and we will help you look at ways this can be achieved with the minimum impact.”

Wellington Population Growth

Wellington House Price to Income Multiple

250000

10

8.62 202,700 200000

8

191,000

4.51

Year

2021

0 2018

0 2013

2

2006

4.45 4

50000

Year

Source: Interest.co.nz

5.26

2018

100000

6

2013

150000

2006

Multiple (Price/Income)

Population

179,500

Price in $ (NZD)

Source: Interest.co.nz

$300 $300

Jan 2010 Jan 2011

Date

$410 Jan 2018

Jan 2021

$450

$440

$495

500

Jan 2020

Jan 2019

$400

$370 Jan 2017

Jan 2016

$360

$350

$330

400

Jan 2015

Jan 2014

Jan 2013

$320

$300

Jan 2009

Jan 2012

$295

$275

Jan 2008

Jan 2007

$260

300

Jan 2006

$250

0 Jan 2005

100 $240

200

Jan 2004

Median Annual Rent Price in Wellington (2 Bedroom)

- The topography of the site will be a challenge

University Relative Floor Level

Gordon Wilson Building height

Source: Google Streetview

+65m

+40m

Ground Floor Level

5m

Relative Street Level

0m

University Institution

Victoria University Pipitea (Law & Commerce)

Gordon Wilson Flats Dedicated Student Accommodation Residential Dwellings Commercial Buildings

UniLodge Student Housing

Weir House Student Housing

Everton Hall Student Housing

Katharine Jermyn Hall Student Housing

Boulcott Hall Student Housing

Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus (Hilltop / Main)

Te Puni Village Student Housing

Victoria House Student Housing

Capital Hall Student Housing

222 Willis Student Housing Cumberland Hall Student Housing

0

100m

Victoria University Te Aro Campus (Architecture & Design)

What are my Goals?

Building Typology

Mixed-Use Village

Student Housing

University Complex

Users

Community

Students

Provide Housing solutions for Students in today’s competitive Rental Market

Preserve the Heritage of Gordon Wilson Flats

Create an Urban intervention which links the Hilltop Victoria University Campus to the City

Goals

Enhance the Street interface of the Site

Create a Small Institutional Complex for the University

Create a Village which promotes Social and Functional Mix

ConnectConnect

Connect

Community Community

Street Activation Street Activation

Community

Connect

Connect

Community Community

Community

Street Activation Street Activation

Street Activ

Connect Connect

Community

Community Community

Street Street Activation Activation

Street Activation

SCENARIO 1.0

Retain Retaining the existing conditions of the site with changes to the programmatic arrangements to the interior space will be the most cost effective solution. This will also be the best solution regarding the preservation of heritage.

SCENARIO 2.0

Alter Subtracting volume f rom the North of the building will create a visual permeability for the stairs/connection to the University on to of the bank. The connection will be more visually connected to the road below

Site Conditions

Existing Mass

The site of the Gordon Wilson Flats is situated on a sloping site, with a large bank to the rear of the building. At the top of the bank, the University is situated.

In f ront of the Flats, is an open space with an interface with the street.

The existing building is designed in a modernist aesthetic and one of New Zealand’s most historic buildings in this style.

SCENARIO 3.0

Rebuild It is arguable that the building is not fit for purpose due to it’s structural concerns. There have been proposed plans to completely redevelop the site entirely but this is not in the spirit of retaining heritage.

Retain

Public Level - Activate the Ground Floor Level of the building

Connecting Floors - Connect social spaces of each floor together

Alter

Rebuild

Communal Space

Centre Mass

Remove Mass

- Promote social living conditions by having communal spaces on each floor

- Addition of more floor area to create more rooms and social space - Addition of mass also allows a services core to be created

- The inclusion of a services core allows the existing lift shaft and egress stairs to be removed.

Structure

Access

Rooftop Mass

- Reinforce the structure of the building since this is the main reason it is closed

- Create a intuitive thoroughfare to the rear of the building where the stairs will be located

- Create more social spaces on the rooftop to promote social interactions

To Victoria University Main Campus

U n i ve

r s i ty B

uildin

g

Student Housing

0

10m T H E

T E R

R A C

E

Accessible Route Pedestrian Route

0

10m

UP STAIRS TO UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS

CLEANER’S ROOM RECEPTION OFFICE RECEPTION OFFICE

BASKETBALL COURT

CLEANER’S STORAGE RUBBISH CHUTE

COVERED OUTDOOR BBQ / DINING

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION

STORAGE

FIRE RISER

UP

WET SERVICES RISER

LIFT SHAFT

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

FRIDGE / FREEZER

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

0

2

4

6

8

10m

Ground Floor Plan - Student Housing

RUBBISH CHUTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

ACCESSIBLE

UP

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER

UP

WET SERVICES RISER

BATHROOMS

UP

SMALL KITCHENETTE

LIFT LOBBY

LIFT SHAFT

WASH ROOM

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

ACCESSIBLE

KITCHENETTE

COMMON AREA

0

2

4

6

8

10m

Typical Floor Plan 1 - Student Housing

RUBBISH CHUTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

HVAC RISER

0

2

ACCESSIBLE

4

6

8

10m

DN

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION FIRE RISER

UP

WET SERVICES RISER

BATHROOMS

UP

SMALL KITCHENETTE

LIFT LOBBY

LIFT SHAFT

WASH ROOM

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

DATA RISER

ACCESSIBLE

Typical Floor Plan 2 - Student Housing

COMMON AREA

0

2

4

6

8

10m

Section - Student Housing

LAUNDRY ROOM

RUBBISH CHUTE

LIFT LOBBY

STAIRCASE PRESSURISATION

UP

STORAGE

FIRE RISER

UP

HVAC RISER

LIFT SHAFT

WET SERVICES RISER

KITCHENETTE

COMMUNICATIONS ROOM

ELECTRICAL CUPBOARD

COMMON AREA

DATA RISER

BBQ AREA

ROOFTOP GARDEN

0

2

4

6

8

10m

Rooftop Plan - Student Housing

Thank You

Gregory Wang