The New Zealand Institute for Architects and Ockham Residential are teaming up for a design competition that seeks a model for medium-density housing that could be used in various Auckland suburbs.

The competition calls for a design for at least 25 apartments on Akepiro St, a mixed use area in Eden Terrace.

“Auckland urgently requires more medium-density housing,” says Pip Cheshire, president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, “and Aucklanders have to be convinced that this type of housing can be produced to a good standard.”

The Auckland Housing Accord agreed by the council and the government calls for more than 30,000 new dwellings in Special Housing Areas and many of these homes will be apartments and townhouses out of necessity, he says.

“A range of well-designed, infill residential projects are vital to promote community understanding and acceptance of higher density housing types in suburban locations.

“It’s important that we – the council, developers and architects – don’t just tell the public about the need for medium density housing, but that we show that this housing model can be successfully integrated into selected neighbourhoods.”

The competition will be judged by architects Richard Goldie (Peddle Thorp), Maggie Carroll (Bureaux) and Marshall Cook (Cook Sargisson and Pirie), together with Ockham Residential director Mark Todd and Auckland Council’s Jacques Victor.

Ockham Residential will commission the winner to complete the design and realise the project.

“The winning design must establish positive relationships with surrounding public areas such as an adjoining road reserve and local park,” says Ockham Residential director Mark Todd.

The first stage of the competition calls for concept design submissions by 18 June and the competition jury will select the top five entrants from the first stage. Stage one is open to all New Zealand resident architects and architectural graduates.