Quarterly Edit: Ep07

Kia ora, yaama and welcome to the Winter Edition of our Quarterly Edit.

With the passing of the Winter Solstice and Matariki (the start of the Māori New Year), we again look forward to brighter days ahead. As an industry, 2024 has certainly provided some cool headwinds, but we remain fundamentally optimistic and we are excited to be working with clients who are primed for the next cycle of development and opportunity using creativity to unlock potential and value. ?

Within this update we showcase thought leadership on urban density, adaptive reuse and city transformation, feature projects which are making global impact, and showcase our new brand and the thinking behind it.?We hope you enjoy this Edit.

City Transformation Part 1:?The latent potential of dated buildings

In the first article of our City Transformation series, WAM Principal Michael Mason explores the immense latent potential of dated or passé buildings that are prevalent in our cities across Australasia. If concrete were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases on Earth! As an industry, we know that if we are going to meet our carbon reduction targets, we must reuse, upgrade and adapt more of the structures we already have. In this article Michael moves past the imperative, to illustrate three world-class adaptive reuse projects, which put theory into action with spectacular results. Read more .

Watch: Sustainable beauty

Late last year, the beloved Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre?reopened to the public and from Broadsheet to Wallpaper Magazine this facility has attracted adulation for blending sustainability and beauty. The pool has gone on to win numerous international design and sustainability awards, including a prestigious Rethinking the Future award. But what we're most proud of, is how it’s been embraced by the community, with memberships and enrolments more than double the forecast, and queues over summer to get into the coolest place in town. Read more about the project here or click here to see the beauty in action.

Everything is possible

Recently, we revealed our new website and brand identity that is inspired by our people, approach and unique position in the world. We enjoyed catching up with Architecture & Design to discuss the thinking behind the refreshed identity and the bold outcome which challenges category conventions. Read more .

Te Arikinui Pullman Hotel: Authentic and culturally-grounded luxury

Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel sets a new global standard for its fusion of authentic cultural designs with understated luxury. In a world of ubiquitous and global brands, this addition to the Auckland Airport precinct is one of the world’s most unique hotel experiences and a memorable way to start or complete a journey in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read more .

Density done well

This month saw the New Zealand Government announce their 'Going for Housing Growth' programme in response to the pressing housing crisis. Naturally, this has sparked important conversation and debate about the quantity, quality and livability of housing and the impact this could have on our inner cities.?Higher density, and more sustainable housing is an essential part of any solution to accommodate our ever-growing urban population and for this reason, WAM Principal and our Residential Sector Co-Leader Peta Nichols is passionate about density done well. Read more .

Melbourne's transformational build-to-rent development achieves planning approval

As detailed above, WAM is passionate about using design to help solve the critical issues of our time, including the housing crises facing our major cities. A global exemplar is District Living, which has recently received support and planning approval. Promising to be Australia's largest build-to-rent project, the AsheMorgan development will provide over 900 high-quality, sustainable apartments and homes for residents. Read more .

Lean and Green: Creating an epicentre for education and research

Environmental science holds the answers to many of our society's most urgent challenges. More than ever, we need science to deliver creative, innovative and smart solutions to managing our food security, resources, and waste. In response, Waimarie Lincoln University Sciences North Building creates an epicentre for education and research in the land-based disciplines, as well as a hub for interorganisational partnerships and industry-wide collaboration. Read more .

Advieh: 'Unlike anything the city has seen before' - Denizen

Advieh is a special, collaborative design project between WAM and Melbourne-based hospitality studio Techne?, which has opened to rave reviews for both the quality of its cuisine and rich aesthetic.

"It's insanely good. The sort of place that reminds you how good restaurants can get." - Viva "You'd be hard pressed to find a restaurant that ticks as many boxes as Advieh." - Urban List "Unlike anything the city has seen before." - Denizen

Read more .