Aiming high
Donna Fleming investigates a new building that will ‘ celebrate its verticality’
There’s a high degree of responsibility that comes with designing what will be Auckland’s tallest residential building. Jaimin Atkins hopes his firm Plus Architecture has done the city proud with its design for 57- level The Pacifica, which is likely to become an iconic part of the the skyline.
“A huge amount of work has gone into coming up with something that is right for the location and the people who are going to live there,” says Jaimin.
Plus Architecture studied the history of the area between Commerce and Fort Sts where The Pacifica is being built, and also looked carefully at how the area is used today, as well as considering cultural influences. Then they drove across the harbour bridge to Devonport, and took a long, hard look at the city from there, picturing how The Pacifica would sit in the skyline.
“It’s a very horizontal city — a lot of the buildings have horizontal aspects. The Pacifica is a very tall building that shoots up into the sky and we wanted to celebrate that verticality.”
One of the intentions behind The Pacifica is that as well as drawing from its surroundings, the development will add glamour and energy to the skyline. One way it hopes to do this is with distinctive glass panels that wrap around the building. Jaimin explains that the inspiration for this is two- fold.
“Firstly, we were driven by the proximity to the water of the Waitemata Harbour — Waitemata means sparkling waters, and we wanted to have glass that pixellates images of the water, so it looks like it is shimmering. We thought, Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had a tower that looked like sparkling water in the sky?”
Meanwhile, the way the glass appears to fold around the building is derived from the twisting Maori pikorua motif and represents how the project is bringing together many elements, such as culture and location.
The design also recognises the fact that The Pacifica has four interfaces at ground level, including laneways that used to be driveways but will become vibrant pedestrianised areas with cafes and retail spaces.
The laneway architecture is integrated into the lobby of The Pacifica, where residents will be welcomed with finishes including zinc, natural stone and bronze, along with lush greenery.
When it came to designing the interiors of The THE PACIFICA, COMMERCE ST, AUCKLAND: OPTIONS: 1) One bed apartments of 57- 72sq m from $ 735,635. 2) One bed plus study ( 58- 81sq m) from $ 794,635. 3) One bed plus study nook ( 74- 82sq m) from $ 870,000. 4) Two bed ( 88- 157sq m) from $ 1.287million. 5) Two bed plus study nook ( 102- 107sq m) from $ 1.168 million. 6) Two bed plus study ( 107- 110sq m) from $ 1.390 million. 7) Three bed ( 125sq m) from $ 1.893 million. 8) Three bed plus study nook ( 146- 203sq m) from $ 2.27 million. 9) Two bed penthouse ( 175- 190sq m) and three bed penthouse ( 235sq m) — price on application. PARKING: BODY CORP: INSPECT: SCHOOL ZONES: CONTACT: ON THE WEB: Pacifica apartments, the idea was to create surroundings that complemented the harbour and city views that will be visible from many of the homes.
“We wanted to have something beautiful and sophisticated that didn’t compete with what will be some of the best views in Auckland,” says Jaimin.
“It was important to be really respectful of that view.”
High quality materials, such as European appliances, have been used throughout, giving all the apartments a feeling of elegance and luxury. Apartments come in one, two and three bedroom options and have been grouped into four distinct “collections”.
The Commerce Residences are on levels 7- 24 and will suit people looking for a lowmaintenance “lock- up and leave” home. The Tower