Project Description
New Shoots Children’s Centre, Sunnynook
New Shoots Children’s Centre, Sunnynook is a small mixed-use regeneration scheme which has turned around a failing suburban shopping cluster.
Six out of the eight retail units were closed and the remaining two were struggling. There was no life on the street to talk of, and the site was in danger of folding completely.
We were commissioned to look at how the centre could be improved aesthetically, however it soon became apparent that the problems were at a strategic planning level.
Our approach was simple – by adding the right mix of services, life would be brought back to the area. The key piece was a new 80 child Childcare inserted at the rear where old lock ups had been originally. This was the catalyst needed to invigorate the existing retail, and all 6 of the retained units are now thriving, including a cafe.
Who says good design and planning cannot change lives?
Facts + Figures
Client: New Shoots Children’s Centre and Pukenui Properties
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Construction cost: NZD 2.5 million
Area: 1,000m²
Programme: Completed 2012
