The St Andrews Retirement Village in Glendowie, Auckland are comprehensively planned communities that required a seamless integration of uniform design, architecture and landscape. This is, in effect, the application of a Total Design Philosophy, which is at the core of the work undertaken by Chow:Hill.

Project leader Stuart Mackie says right from the start the development was planned as a hillside village that would cascade down the hill - much like a Mediterranean hilltop town. "Rather than creating one big development, we wanted to provide separate pockets of housing - small neighbourhoods that would enhance a community feel," he says. "Crucial to this idea was the notion of landscaped public spaces. Each neighbourhood would be defined by a different outdoor space, be it a village green, a water garden or rose garden. These areas would be key identifying elements that would encourage a sense of stewardship and social interaction."

Creating a variety of architectural styles was also essential. We wanted to avoid an institutional look. But there is an integrated plan – an underlying structure that provides visual continuity. The traditional Mediterranean character has been translated into a consistent palette of long-lasting, robust materials. The roofs, for example, are all pitched, but feature different clay tiles. And the silhouetted skyline has plenty of visual interest."

For more information on this Chow:Hill project,
Email: stuart@chowhill.co.nz