Greenslade Crescent, Auckland
Engineering design for five storey apartments
Project details
// Client -
Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities
// Location -
Northcote, Auckland
// Size -
Five storey 52 units apartment building
// Services -
// Structural Engineering
// Status -
Completed
Engineering design enabling cost savings and fast delivery
The Greenslade Crescent Medium Rise Apartments project challenged our Auckland structural engineering consultants to deliver 52 units within a tight 14-month programme and budget, while also achieving a Homestar 6 sustainability rating. The development demonstrates our engineers’ innovative structural solutions and strong collaboration skills.
Structural engineering on tight programmes and budgets
Smart engineering can reduce construction costs and save time. With a compressed 14-month programme and strict financial budgets, the Greenslade Crescent Medium Rise Apartments project required our structural engineering consultants to ensure every decision balanced speed, efficiency and value without compromising safety or performance.
Key structural strategies for cost and time efficiency
- Precast balcony and structural elements – accelerated construction, reduced site disruption, and provided consistent quality control.
- Hybrid structural system – combining precast concrete and structural steel framing to achieve both cost efficiency and durability.
- Optimised documentation and RFI turnaround – praised by the contractor for enabling fast decision-making and maintaining momentum.
- Foundation design for challenging soils – deep bored piles provided stability while aligning with the overall budget and programme.
By focusing on buildable, efficient solutions, our engineers ensured the Auckland project stayed on schedule and engineering was complete within budget.
Sustainable design through collaboration
A core driver for Greenslade Crescent was delivering sustainable housing that would meet Kāinga Ora’s long-term performance and carbon reduction goals while aligning with Haumaru Housing’s requirements as the specialist community housing provider. The project successfully achieved a Homestar 6 rating, reflecting its focus on energy efficiency, durability and the wellbeing of residents.
How our engineers support Homestar rating:
- Specifying low-carbon concrete mixes to reduce embodied carbon while maintaining strength and durability.
- Integrating efficient building services design (mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic) to reduce operational energy use.
- Embedding sustainability measures into the structural design to ensure long-term performance with minimal maintenance.
Critical to achieving these outcomes was the high level of communication and coordination between stakeholders. Regular engagement with Kāinga Ora, NZ Strong Construction, Monk MacKenzie Architects, and Fluid Engineering ensured sustainable solutions were fully integrated without impacting programme or budget.
This collaborative approach enabled the project team to meet performance targets while delivering safe, accessible, and future-focused homes for Auckland’s older residents.
“It was a pleasure working alongside the Kirk Roberts team. Greenslade Crescent has been a success, thanks to their early structural support and planning, from shop drawings, design, and coordination to keep the project moving. Their attendance and input at weekly RFI Meetings enabled NZ Strong to proceed without delays, with simple and effective solutions. No issue was too big, and their proactive solutions-focused attitude was refreshing – a true reflection of a well-oiled organisation. I look forward to joining forces again on the next venture.”
Joe Jacobs, New Zealand Strong
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