ASC Architects

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in an architecture studio? Whether you’re thinking about commissioning an architect, a student considering a future in architecture, or just a curious soul fascinated by the creative process, Open Studios is your chance to dive into the world of architecture! We’re thrilled to announce that ASC Architects will be participating in this year's event! Come visit our studio and explore: How architects bring their ideas to life, the creative and technical processes involved. What it takes to get a building from concept to reality. Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects - Auckland Branch  Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects #nzia #festivalofarchitecture2024 #openstudios2024

We’ve just wrapped up a recent site visit at Rolleston College in Christchurch! Our team is thrilled to see the progress on the expansion, which includes an extended gymnasium, enclosing the existing hard technology area for enhanced tech integration and a brand-new two-storey teaching block that includes new specialist teaching spaces, general teaching spaces and student services facilities, all seamlessly connected to the current school building. The new construction is on track and is set to be completed in just a few weeks! Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks as we approach the finish line. 🎉

ASC Architects extends sincere gratitude to all who joined us for the inaugural event of the NZIA Auckland Sketching Series on Thursday, June 20th. Organized by NZIA, this evening was a celebration of creativity and learning in the art of sketching. With a full house of 40 participants, the event commenced with an insightful presentation by Grant Coupland, a lifelong sketching enthusiast. His workshop on sketching basics provided valuable knowledge and inspiration, leading into an engaging sketching exercise where attendees unleashed their creativity with their chosen materials. We would like to thank NZIA for orchestrating this enriching experience and everyone who contributed to making the event a success. Special thanks to Grant Coupland for sharing his expertise and passion. Stay tuned for updates on future events in the Auckland Sketching Series. Let's continue to explore and foster creativity together through the art of sketching. #NZIAAucklandSketching #ASCArchitects #SketchingWorkshop #NZIA

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the team behind Ahutoetoe School at Milldale for their recent Excellence Award win at the Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards in the education sector. Located in the newly developed Milldale area of Auckland, Ahutoetoe School spans across three buildings, including an administration building, hall, and two-storey flexible learning environments interconnected by covered walkways. The school is also home to Wairau Special School and Northern Health School, emphasizing a commitment to accommodating diverse learning styles. Ahutoetoe School offers a versatile and inclusive learning environment for both students and staff, tailored to meet the needs of learners with diverse requirements. The design, driven by a recognition of varied learning modalities, ensures that essential life skills like problem-solving, creativity, and collaborative work are fostered. The school's multipurpose hall serves as a community hub, accessible to the broader Milldale community beyond school hours, reinforcing its significant civic presence. This achievement underscores Ahutoetoe School's forward-thinking approach and adaptability, aligning with its commitment to shaping future-focused educational experiences.

ASC Architects recently hosted an engaging CPD workshop led by Luka Obradovic from Projectus. The session wasn't just a presentation—it was an interactive workshop focused on optimizing collaboration among architects, project managers, and QS's. At ASC Architects, we prioritize teamwork and efficiency, and this workshop explored how these roles can synergize for optimal project outcomes. Projectus had been gathering valuable insights from similar workshops across firms, and they aimed to distill these into a comprehensive final presentation. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making this workshop a success!

The office took a trip to the recently completed 45 Mt Eden which is a development of 15 high-end boutique apartments designed by Graeme Scott. The site sits at the top of the planned linear park that will connect the new Mt Eden station with Mt Eden Road. This means all the west-facing apartments will enjoy unobstructed views across this beautiful new amenity to the Waitakeres. True to its surroundings, the building displays an edgy, industrial aesthetic through a confident use of red brick, exposed concrete floors, dark joinery and railing balustrades. 45 Mt Eden’s raw palette is elevated by bold design features that lift the building from its urban roots to a sophisticated residential sanctuary. The angular timber canopy and elevated planting provide a dynamic base to the design while the cantilevered steel balconies on the north-east corner provide visual balance to the solid brick core. At the top of the building, the penthouse roof with its captivating oculus soars above the dark, recessive top floor.

Hard work has paid off for our dedicated Woolworths team, with Greville Road Woolworths achieving a silver Commercial Projects Award in the retail category. Along with the brand new, 3600m2 supermarket, this project included a fully dedicated e-store for fulfilling online orders, which was a groundbreaking addition for the supermarket. The site also hosts adjoining retail and hospitality spaces, with the shopping precinct designed in tandem with the supermarket, using warm materials and expansive glazing. The existing plant store and café to the north of the site was already a vibrant spot for locals and the expansion of the site creates an inviting and welcoming local shopping center for the surrounding residential developments. Special thanks to everyone involved, who contributed to this achievement. 📸 Photography: Open2View and Mark Scowen

Whangārei Boys' High School has surprised us yet again, this time as a Gold Winner at the 2024 Commercial Project Awards, for the Education category. We are so grateful and proud of the recognition this project has received, being a civic project and education facility that is essential to the wider community, it was crucial for the finished site to serve the end user to the best of its ability and continue to do so for many years. Like many of our school projects, the Whangārei Boys' community embraced the opportunity to make this facility a reflection of who they are and what they stand for. We love the end result and believe the school will continue to be an inclusive, adaptable and nurturing environment both now and in the future. 📸 Photography: Open2View and Mark Scowen

The ASC team was invited by Objectspace for a gallery tour led by Kim Paton of the Esther Stewart “I was moving too fast to see” exhibition. Esther rebuilt the prominent Emely Baker Centre in the form of a sectional model made at a 1:2 scale made using fabrics – tabs, castings and plackets – each bolt had been cut, sewn, labelled and indexed, to form a kit of parts for relocation. It generously levitates in the center of the gallery where we were able to experience the model and its potential to be reassembled in different configurations. We were also taken through the creative jewellery displays in the gallery by Alan Preston, Neke Moa and Workshop6. It is always exciting for the ASC team to see the latest exhibitions by Objectspace and the team thoroughly enjoys taking a trip down to the Auckland gallery.

ASC Architects were proud to attend last Friday morning’s Pōwhiri and opening of the new Nairn Block at Mount Albert Grammar School. ASC was engaged to design a new three storey building providing eighteen new teaching spaces, a new information centre and library, and a Whare Wānanga for the school. Today Headmaster Patrick Dumm described the new building as capturing the ethos of the school in embracing both tradition and change by bringing together the school’s heritage, as well as embracing mātauranga Māori. ASC Architects would like to extend a big thank you to the whole team who made the new building a reality. GHD Engineering, CFC façade engineering, White Associates quantity surveyors, Colliers project management, Southbase Construction (big shout out to all of the site team), Ministry of Education delivery team, and all of the senior leadership team at the School. 📸 Photographs: Mark Hanlen