Arvida Park Lane Retirement Village

Client

Arvida Group

Architect

Jasmax

Location

Christchurch, New Zealand

Awards

2020 Timber Design Awards

Head contractor

Armitage Williams

Structural engineer

Engco

Building methodology

Conventional Construction (CLT + Steel & Concrete)

Arvida Group were determined to create a state-of-the-art retirement village that would instil a sense of community among residents through shared spaces and connections to the outdoors. By incorporating XLAM Cross Laminated Timber (XLAM CLT) into the design, the complex resounds with a sense of belonging and community.

About the project

The Arvida Group’s Living Well Park Lane Village is a multistorey retirement living complex consisting of 80 apartments located in Christchurch, New Zealand. Offering independent living in a socialised environment including a café, lounge and library within a landscaped setting, the design is based on a comprehensive approach to wellbeing. The complex celebrates environmental sustainability and biophilic design by introducing natural materials.

The complex contains two linked wings of three and four storey buildings consisting of a conventional build design that uses concrete on the ground level and XLAM CLT for the upper floors. The primary wall, floor, and stair structure from the first floor up is entirely XLAM CLT, with exposed visual grade panels used for a strong, but warm design feature.

In addition to its stunning aesthetics, XLAM CLT offered a sustainable construction solution with the panels used throughout the complex storing approximately 1,131 tonnes of CO₂ in its structure. For this reason, the Living Well Park Lane Village was recognised in the 2020 Timber Design Awards with Highly Commended in Sustainable Development and Residential Design. Arvida Group have also implemented mass timber “hybrid” builds as the blueprint for its developments moving forward.

Structural system

Looking to redefine and restyle retirement village living, Arvida Group were focused on occupant wellbeing through designing and developing a complex that centres around connections, community, and sustainability.

Comprising of 80 apartments across two multistorey buildings, the Living Well Park Lane Village is a conventional build consisting of XLAM CLT in conjunction with traditional materials. The build includes concrete ground floors that also act as a foundation, and over 700 XLAM CLT panels used for the wall and floor structures from the first floor up.

The apartments were designed in a ‘honeycomb’ structure and separated by permanent structural internal walls with acoustic-battened and gib-lined to achieve sound insultation. This design was an economically beneficial solution, as it minimised the construction material requirements.

During manufacturing, the XLAM CLT wall panels were fitted with dowel plates to minimise the number of screws required to fit the walls in place. Limiting the number of screws also complimented the visual grade of the CLT stairs and panels, which were left exposed with a clear finish to create a natural, calming aesthetic.