THE CONTEXT

Christchurch has a pressing need for intermediate housing (housing for those who don’t qualify for subsidised housing but can’t afford market-rate) and wanted to develop the Madras Square neighbourhood as a model of a new type of sustainable urban community.

THE WORK

Urban Apostles was contracted by the Office for Holistic Urbanism to analyze the feasibility of developing a co-living housing development with approximately 150 homes and ground-level commercial tenants, and a number of options for communal amenity, including coworker and maker spaces, wellness studios, gardens, play spaces, and shared mobility solutions all meant to reduce stress while creating a true ‘system for affordable living.’ As part of the assessment process, Urban Apostles is leading the listening and ideation phase of development, which will conclude in late 2019. 

Images: Viva Cohousing Concept Design, Jasmax