Quad 19 Apartments

Quad 19 consists of three apartments, occupying a prime position in St Heliers Bay, each blessed with the kind of views that can entertain occupants for hours, even if very little is happening outside.  Which is precisely the point.  

The relaxed feeling is enhanced by a design that reflects the setting.  It’s more sculpture than pragmatic, with the lines obscuring the division between the apartments, so it appears as if one.  The heavy lifting of the visuals is carried by the large fins which have been cleverly placed to open the views for the occupants, but obscure the interior from inquisitive passers-by at the street level. 

Running vertically and horizontally, Solaris 200 aluminium louvres are used on two elevations, all 50 finished in a standard Dulux Duratec powdercoat and fixed to the primary structure via angle brackets.  The squarebox louvre blades are well proven in New Zealand and here they perfectly compliment the structure shape.  

The louvres on Quad 19 are deceptively effective.  This is best understood when viewed from the angle of a passer-by, where the louvres protect the visual privacy of the inside while also shading when necessary.  The aesthetic is diametrically opposed to Sonata Apartments behind and uses this setting to emphasise the straight lines of Quad 19.  It’s an approach which extends to the use of the planting around the building, which when mature will make it appear as if on a podium.  This is one of those designs that draws you in, and the more you look at it, the more you can feel the design and why it works so well. 

Architect  Buchan                 Contractor  LEP

Location  St Helliers, Auckland