Project: 30 Madden Street Residential Apartment Development
Architecture: Studio Pacific Architecture
Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Area: 5000 m2
Year: 2021
Photo Credits: Jason Mann
On a prominent corner in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, 30 Madden Street Residential Apartment Development by Studio Pacific Architecture redefines urban living through a thoughtful balance of sustainability, architecture, and community. Developed by Willis Bond, the project transforms an entire city block into 153 contemporary homes, framed by native planting, retail spaces, and marine commercial activity. The result is a human-scaled neighbourhood designed to encourage connection while regenerating its former industrial site.
A Neighbourhood Designed for Life
The development comprises a diverse mix of apartments, maisonettes, and walk-up townhouses. Each residence is carefully oriented to maximise natural sunlight, sea breezes, and views, while layouts promote seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors. Terraces, balconies, and a rooftop garden extend living spaces outward, and large windows bring daylight deep inside.
At street level, townhouses wrap the block to activate the urban edge and hide a centralised car park. Above them, an expansive courtyard acts as a shared green heart where neighbours can gather, children can play, and nature can thrive. The ground floor integrates commercial and retail spaces that anchor the block into the wider neighbourhood, creating a lively and walkable environment.
Living Lightly
Sustainability lies at the core of 30 Madden Street Residential Apartment Development. Every home is certified 7 Homestar under New Zealand’s leading sustainability framework. Passive strategies such as solar shading, dual-aspect layouts, and extensive cross-ventilation reduce energy demand. Rainwater harvesting supports irrigation for the central courtyard, while structural steel was selected for its lower embodied carbon.
The development is future-proofed with infrastructure for photovoltaic energy generation and electric vehicle charging, reinforcing its long-term resilience. A strong emphasis on cycling facilities, integrated waste systems, and reduced car parking encourages a lighter and more connected urban lifestyle.
Recognition and Awards
30 Madden Street has received multiple accolades for its innovative approach to urban living, including the Best Design Awards Gold Pin in Residential Architecture (2022) and the Property Council NZ Excellence Award for Multi-Unit Residential Property (2022). These awards highlight the project’s success in combining high-quality design, sustainable strategies, and community-focused spaces.
Conclusion
Through its integration of contemporary homes, generous shared spaces, and sustainable practices, 30 Madden Street Residential Apartment Development sets a new benchmark for urban living in Auckland. It demonstrates how architecture can create vibrant neighbourhoods that are environmentally responsible while remaining deeply human in scale.
