In the heart of Avondale, Aroha sets a new benchmark for higher-density living - proving that beauty, durability, and community can go hand in hand.
A partnership between Marutūāhu iwi and Ockham Residential, Aroha is an apartment complex symbolising regeneration and optimism. With its distinctive brick façade, graceful arch motifs, and lush podium gardens, it offers residents the best of both worlds: vibrant shared spaces and calm, private retreats.
Named the 2024 Multi-Unit Home of the Year, Aroha marks a defining moment for Auckland’s urban future.
At a glance
Address: Corner of Great North Road & Ash Street, Avondale, Auckland, NZ
Type of project: Multi-unit residential development
Status of project: Completed March / April 2023
Client: Marutūāhu-Ockham Group
Architect: Ockham Residential design team led by Hannah Chiaroni-Clarke
Oculus rep: Dan Allen & Peter Raimondo peter@obsf.co
The Vision and Our Role
Aroha marks a key moment in Avondale’s transformation. With 117 apartments, including 47 Kiwi Build units, over half of which are owned by first-home buyers, Aroha was designed to support long-term living and local connection, with shared spaces like residents’ lounges, a pool, and communal gardens at its heart. Oculus was engaged to provide a PS1 for the building enclosure design, focusing on the waterproofing of the podium deck and courtyard above the basement car park, as well as the arched brick veneer façade around the upper-level balconies - critical areas where performance, durability, and design precision had to come together seamlessly.
Results and Achievements
This project shows that complex and beautiful brickwork can make a tall building feel warm and residential. Key outcomes include:
- A complex looking brick facade with arches and corbels resolved into simple details to accelerate and improve install
- Brick detailing with movement joints and two part brick ties to accommodate the higher movement of a taller building
- Vapour control in concrete substrate wall insulation to control condensation risk
Awards
Architectural recognition: Winner of Multi-Unit Home of the Year 2024
Teamwork in Action
With the developer, architect, and builder all under the Ockham banner, the design process was refreshingly streamlined enabling faster decisions, tighter coordination, and more refined solutions. Oculus worked closely with the in-house team to simplify façade detailing and build in redundancy, ensuring the traditional brick cladding not only looked beautiful but performed flawlessly. Congratulations to Ockham on an award-winning project that sets a new benchmark for multi-unit living in Aotearoa.
Here’s what our project partners had to say:
“Oculus were engaged as the Building Enclosure Engineer for Aroha and were an integral part of the project team – their services included design, compliance and construction supervision for building enclosure elements across the development’s two buildings.
The results speak for themselves – an archly brilliant brick building that stands at the gateway into Avondale. The success of this already iconic local building is due to the talent and hard mahi of many people, with Oculus Engineer, Dan Allen, a major contributor. Ever calm, reliable and pragmatic, no challenge was too great for Dan. As a developer, you appreciate consultants who work independently without much oversight and find solutions to any issues that may arise.
Dan – and Oculus – are exemplary partners and we look forward to working with them on our future projects.”
- Waleed Numan, Ockham Residential
Project Manager: Marutūāhu-Ockham Group
Architect: Hannah Chiaroni Clarke, Ockham Residential
Engineers: Mesh consulting (mechanical), HFC Group (structural)
Construction: Ockham Construction
Let's Find the Right Solution for Your Building
Do you need expert investigation, PS1 design, or construction monitoring for a remediation project? The success at Kelvin House showcases our commitment to high performance, resilient solutions.
Let us help you de-risk your project and achieve the right outcome for your building. Contact us at info@obsf.co or get in touch with our team.
