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Auckland University of Technology

Fast facts

Location: Wellesley Street, Mayoral Drive, St Paul Street, Lorne Street, Auckland City

Construction: 2004-2006

Owner: Auckland University of Technology

Architecture and design: Jasmax

Planning: Opus International Consultants

Case study researcher: Sam Coles, Opus

Key statistics

Land area: 8441 m2

Buildings: Three main buildings, plus plaza and streetscape

Total floor area: 27,540 m2 (arts: 8640 m2, studio: 8300 m2, business: 10,600 m2)

Project cost: $100 million

Photo: Location plan.

Photo: Studio Building Plaza concept.

Photo: Arts Building Plaza concept.

Photo: Business Building construction site, Lorne Street.

Introduction

Building AUT is a three-stage development of the Auckland University of Technology's CBD Campus. Jasmax, in partnership with AUT, have designed the project to accommodate over 8000 students and staff in three main buildings - the Studio Building, the Business Building, and the Arts Building.

Together with improved streetscape and new plaza areas, Building AUT consolidates university functions into a strong and successful education precinct at the heart of Auckland City.

The aim is to enhance campus life, culture and education outcomes by improving the learning, social and working environments.

This case study demonstrates a co-ordinated approach to urban design between AUT, Jasmax and Opus, working with Auckland City Council's Urban Design Panel.

Design process

The design was commissioned by AUT in 2002. From the earliest stages, the architecture and design team at Jasmax and the planning team at Opus were focussed on providing a comprehensive design that would meet planning and environmental standards and guidelines.

The timeline for Building AUT began with a year of design and planning. Once initial designs were prepared, Auckland City Council's Urban Design Panel was consulted. This voluntary exercise provided valuable constructive suggestions that resulted in improvements to the design.

Building AUT has three stages:

  • Stage 1: The St Paul Street Studio Building began construction in 2003, and has been in use since February 2004.
  • Stage 2: The Business Building was begun in 2004 and will be completed in the second quarter of 2005.
  • Stage 3: Construction began in May 2004 on the Arts building, and is expected to be completed in early 2006.

Urban design principles

Consultative and open

From the earliest stages of the project, the designers paid careful attention to the requirements and vision of AUT's faculties using consultation and discussion groups. AUT's intranet was used to inform staff, students and the public of all proposed developments.

Viable and deliverable

AUT brought Jasmax and Opus a clear vision for their future campus. The combined experience and expertise of closely co-ordinated planning, design and engineering teams ensured that the project satisfied district plan and Resource Management Act controls from the outset. This meant the transition from design to construction was smooth, and the design remained true to its initial concepts while accommodating changes and responding to constraints in a positive way. The three-stage design allowed a generous development timetable.

Integrated and comprehensive

A university campus is an exciting environment that accommodates a diverse range of people and activities. The buildings create a positive interface between the external public spaces and the interior facilities that enhances both.

A strong partnership between the landowner, and the design, planning and engineering teams meant communication was clear and feedback flowed easily between all parties.

Urban design issues

In addition to function, site and cost restraints, meetings and discussions with user groups generated additional design requirements. Urban design issues and principles arising out of these requirements were organised into categories of 'Footprint', 'Form', 'Planning' and 'Function'. The requirements included:

  • an efficient and flexible design to provide for changing academic needs
  • enhancing a sense of community with social interaction, particularly at entrances
  • providing a simple but strong form for maximum legibility
  • addressing the whole AUT campus and greater urban context
  • connecting new buildings with the existing framework, physically and visually
  • creating a safe, healthy environment within and around buildings
  • making an attractive, vibrant and distinct landscape that draws on New Zealand's pacific heritage.

Evaluation - urban design principles

Context

Building AUT consolidates AUT faculties into one efficient, supportive campus community. The concept of community has been emphasised in every aspect of the design, but particularly in the wider streetscape elements, where the majority of social activity occurs. The campus fronts Wakefield Street, Lorne Street and Mayoral Drive. It responds outwardly to the street pattern and the public environment. Plazas have been integrated into several key areas of the development, supported by building forms that encourage social interaction.

The AUT campus has established a modern, dynamic environment oriented to pedestrians. This landscape offers a distinct combination of practical social space and visual interest by creating an exciting, cohesive urban streetscape.

Character

Maori and pacific identity is represented in the building form as well as in detailing. The Business Building is styled after an international corporate centre, while the Arts Building has dramatic visual appeal through the use of decorative panels. The Studio Building offers artistic users clean, functional spaces and highlights an exhibition area on the ground floor.

Choice

Flexibility has been built into the design at a primary level, allowing the buildings to adapt to suit changing education styles and techniques. Spaces offer interior freedom while maintaining a functional and efficient style. With an emphasis on simple, robust forms, the buildings have a wide range of possible future roles.

Connections

Connections occur on a number of different levels. The campus is well connected to the CBD and student accommodation and within walking distance of public transport along Queen Street. Connections with the wider area have been maintained, but the pedestrian-oriented streetscape design is able to control traffic, allowing cycle and public transport use to flourish.

Internally, the buildings comprising Building AUT are designed to re-establish the academic heart of the AUT campus around a framework of connected faculties. Relocating over 3000 students to the precinct enhances both the academic and social aspects of the University.

Creativity

The three buildings display contemporary design that is both attractive and user-friendly (see also character above). Strong colour and form are used to draw attention to entry points and attract people toward the campus.

Custodianship

In addition to enhancing the sense of community, the new facilities have greatly improved efficiency in terms of land use, transportation and energy. The master plan process has allowed design of buildings and activities to address and enhance environmental characteristics in the wider urban environment. The careful use of light-enhancing materials, vertical voids and building orientation has ensured natural light and airflow permeate the new spaces.

The new development will generate 24-hour activity and 'eyes on the street', improving safety and security in the area.

Collaboration

The master plan for AUT is a collaboration between the project partners AUT, Jasmax, Opus and the Auckland City Council. This project was developed through an iterative process that engaged stakeholders at all levels. The openness of the project was emphasised through the continued involvement and assistance of Auckland City Council, particularly the Urban Design Panel who provided ongoing feedback that was useful in adapting the design to achieve the best outcome for all parties.

Lessons learnt

The design issues faced by AUT, Opus and Jasmax illustrate the importance of an integrated approach to urban design, made possible through comprehensive master planning. The outcome of Building AUT demonstrates the success of this process in an urban setting by creating a development true to the vision of a dynamic, social, healthy and efficient environment for students, staff and visitors to AUT. In addition, Building AUT enhances the nationally important academic and cultural precinct housing AUT, Senior College, University of Auckland, art galleries, public library, student halls of residence, and other facilities.

To manage the complex organisational requirements of the various departments of AUT affected by the project, the three-stage process was carefully co-ordinated with the academic year. This presented construction and environmental challenges to site management that were met by an emphasis on comprehensive project management and anticipation of effects.

Value gained

The recently completed Studio Building is a great improvement to the previous facilities. When completed, the combination of the three main buildings, plus exterior streetscaping will provide a range of benefits to staff, students and the wider community including:

  • centralising activities to enhance campus communities
  • ensuring efficient access and connectivity within and around the campus
  • providing attractive, purpose-built permanent facilities that promote learning
  • creating more outdoors space and improved integration with covered areas
  • improving the campus designs so they are more consistent, attractive and user-friendly
  • providing flexible space for AUT to expand its facilities and services.

In addition to tangible benefits, the project is valuable for the experience it offers in the master planning process. The partnership between Opus, Jasmax, AUT and Auckland City Council has been instrumental in the overall success of the Building AUT project. This case study will serve as an example of successful development through collaborative planning and design.

Comments

Client: Building AUT is a long term commitment to upgrading all of the University's facilities and creating Wellesley and Akoranga campuses whose vibrant and attractive designs are an asset to students and staff alike. Importantly, these campus developments will also further Auckland University of Technology's contribution to Auckland's vitality and economy.

Users: The new Arts Studio Building's internal space is light and airy, and is like a blank canvas that offers the opportunity for students to create a vibrant atmosphere. Improved workshop space, separation of work and other areas and better interaction between staff and students provides a highly creative learning environment.

Architect/design: JASMAX (and previously JASMAD) have provided a master planning design service for the ATI and the AUT for the Wellesley Campus since the early 1990s. JASMAX believe that the success of each of the individual building designs is a direct result of embracing a master planning approach during the inception of concept design for each building project.

Planning: The regulatory planning context was a significant factor in the design of each of the three projects, providing both opportunities and constraints. Opus provided Jasmax with planning constraints/opportunity reports before beginning the preliminary design on each of the buildings.

Auckland City Council Urban Design Panel: "The panel commends the applicant on the presentation to the panel, the urban design approach and the quality of the overall design."

Photo: Business Building concept: Mayoral Drive looking towards Lorne Street. Photo: Arts and Business Building concepts: Mayoral Drive.
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