Photo description: Left: Sanjesh Lal, Director, Keola and Mahesh Khupse, Development Manger,CORT Community Housing
Article source: CORT Community Housing Annual Report 2024
Good homes
Building more homes
This has been a very busy and productive year, with all seven projects that we are delivering through our ACCORT pipeline now either underway or completed. By mid-2024 four of the developments will be providing 61 good homes for CORT tenants, with the remaining three still under construction. We reported last year on the completion of the first of these apartment blocks in West Harbour, and we recently completed the first tenant survey after it had been occupied for a year. The response was very positive, with tenants appreciating the liveability of the units, and the proximity of amenities such as schools, playgrounds and the community hub.Since then, we've delivered good homes in Papakura in late 2023, and more in west Auckland in mid-2024. The Papakura development is on a large site in a quiet street and is made up of ten apartments, half of which are wheelchair-accessible, and built twelve one-bedroom apartments inHenderson four of which are wheelchair-accessible. In Sunnyvale, two neighbouring sites were amalgamated to allow for a mix of apartments and townhouses on one large section. Work is continuing on new homes in Takanini, and at two sites in Mt Roskill. For one of these projects, we partnered with Kãinga Ora to acquire the land.and with a new main contractor, Keola, for the build - a great example of a community housing provider partnering with government and the private sector to deliver a positive outcome for the community. This development is also of note because the homes are all designed to achieve a Homestar 6 rating, for their environmental performance and impact. This means theywill be easier to keep warm and healthy, and more cost-effective to run thana home built to the basic building standard. We also went above and beyond the requirements of Homestar in another aspect of this build. Keola is partnering with Auckland Council and Unites Institute of Technology for a research project on reducing construction waste in medium-size developments, setting an ambitious target of a 70 percent reduction. CORT is very keen to learn the lessons from this trial and eventually... (End of pictured article)
We’ve worked hard to create homes that are safe, warm, and healthy. It’s been a challenging journey, but we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve for our Community Housing Client.
This project includes 8 residential units, 3 car parks, and 6 bike stands to accommodate the needs of residents and encourage sustainable transport options. We’ve ensured that there are plenty of spaces for bike storage, supporting a balanced, active lifestyle for everyone who calls this their home.
Overcoming Site Challenges
The site itself was incredibly tight, which made every step of the build a little more complex. From managing services to maintaining strong relationships with our neighbours, we had to be careful and thoughtful throughout. Keeping open communication with the local community and our client was a priority for us, and we worked closely with everyone to minimise disruption and ensure everyone felt informed.
Thoughtful Design for Comfort and Safety
Our focus was always on making sure these homes are comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient. We used high-quality insulation and double-glazed windows to keep the homes warm and reduce outside noise. Every apartment was designed with trickle ventilation to ensure fresh air and north-facing layouts to maximise sunlight throughout the day. We’re proud to have achieved a Homestar 6 rating.
Sustainable Practices
We wanted to make sure our environmental impact was as small as possible. We managed to divert 80% of construction waste from landfills, which is something we’re especially proud of. We also used emergency lighting that requires no energy, just to make sure safety is always a priority.
Complex Systems and Attention to Detail
This project involved some complex systems, from public drainage to building a sturdy retaining wall and a specialised watertank system. We knew these would be difficult tasks, but we worked through the design team with care and attention to detail. For the apartments facing the main road, we made sure to prioritise soundproofing to ensure the peace and privacy of residents.
Fire Safety and Privacy
Unit 4, which is above Unit 5, required extra attention for fire safety, and we made sure extensive protection was in place. We also paid close attention to privacy throughout the site, with thoughtful design of outdoor spaces, fences, and planting to create a comfortable and private environment.
Building a Community
Even with all the technical challenges, we never lost sight of our goal: to build homes where people feel truly at home. We’ve created beautiful outdoor spaces, designed to be both functional and relaxing, and ensured that every apartment feels like a safe, comfortable place to live.
In the end, we hope that these spaces not only provide a place to live, but a place where people can build lives, make memories, and feel proud to call home.
Mt Roskill
