HomeGround is a labour of love. Not just for the building itself but for those destined to occupy its meeting rooms, offices, apartments and medical treatment rooms. It’s best summed up in the words of Auckland City Missioner, Chris Farrelly:
“A community can flourish only when its most vulnerable are treated with compassion and dignity, and when effective methods and resources are applied to restore their mental and physical wellbeing. This is the purpose of HomeGround.”
The story of the HomeGround construction dates back more than a decade, when conversations were first held about developing somewhere that would provide not just housing, but would also tackle food insecurity (there’s a rooftop, all-weather greenhouse) and access to healthcare (detoxification facilities, GPs and Dental are all on-site). The completed building realises the long-held dreams of the Auckland City Mission and will provide support to the most vulnerable. That support is spread across 11 floors, multiple functions and 80 apartments.
One of the key requirements of the project is to provide a space that is deliberately meditative – people can feel safe and stress levels are reduced through the application of trauma-informed architecture. Part of meeting that requirement is the prevention of noise pollution from the busy inner City streets below – Hobson Street is not usually an area where you go to relax. Using Ventüer acoustic louvres, any problematic noise (including that generated internally) is nullified by creating an alternative sound path through the use of sound absorbing mineral wool. Importantly, the mechanical noise from the plant room on the top of the building was restricted from spreading and disturbing the peace of those on the lower floors. For occupants, the removal of noise-induced stress helps facilitate more rapid advances in physical and mental wellbeing.
HomeGround also uses Ventüer Louvre solutions to allow the ingress of fresh air. In particular, the Ventüer VL-2SD High Weather Protection Louvre System was used to provide comprehensive rain defence in more exposed areas where driving rain might otherwise be an issue. Rated as Class A under BS/EN:13030 for air volumes up to 1.5 m3/second, and Class B for air volumes up to 3.5 m3/second, the VL-2SD is ideal for locations where high wind speeds and levels of rainfall can be expected.
Finally, HomeGround also features the minimalist screening solution from the Ventüer VL-50CM Louvre System. With a concealed mullion support system, this screening louvre with a low pressure drop, is an aesthetically pleasing solution in building areas where rain is not an issue. This makes for a subtle solution that is functional and doesn’t detract from important architectural lines and design elements.
Now complete, HomeGround is the facility it was always intended to be. A place where those in need can go for help, for some food, medical assistance, or just to talk things through in the relative silence of rooms that are an escape from the hustle, bustle and stress of the world outside.
Project Credits
End User: Auckland City Mission
Architect: Stevens Lawsons Architects
Mechanical Consultant: Thurston Consulting Limited
Main Contractor: Built Environs Limited
Installation Partner: Insol Ltd
Products Supplied: Ventüer Acoustic Louvre Systems and Weather Resistant Louvre Systems, VL-2SD & VL-50CM
Australia
Hong Kong SAR
Indonesia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Philippines
Singapore
